MP Fedir Khrystenko has been exposed for facilitating Russian influence within the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). In response, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) is carrying out extensive searches among officials of the bureau.

This information was reported by investigators from the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine in cooperation with the Security Service of Ukraine.

According to the investigation, Khrystenko – a member of parliament representing the now-banned Opposition Platform – For Life party – was recruited by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) during the Yanukovych administration. Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he fled abroad, from where he continued to be engaged in illicit activities, leveraging close relationships with certain NABU officials.

One of Fedir Khrystenko’s influence network members was Ruslan Magamedrasulov, head of the interregional detectives’ department, who has been detained today by the Security Service of Ukraine on suspicion of conducting business with Russia. Khrystenko had known this detective since their time studying together at the Donetsk National University.

Another of Khrystenko’s connections is Oleksandr Skomarov, head of the detective unit at NABU. It was recorded that in 2022, during the full-scale invasion, Skomarov’s wife had traveled abroad in a car registered to Khrystenko’s wife.

Skomarov also participated in the competition to become head of another Ukrainian law enforcement agency – the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine. The investigation revealed that if he had won the position, Ukrainian oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky expected that, as the new head of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, Skomarov would’ve facilitated the closure of the criminal case against him.

Investigators from the Security Service of Ukraine also link Fedir Khrystenko’s influence to the escape of another Ukrainian businessman and business partner of Ihor Kolomoisky – Hennadii Boholiubov – which was facilitated by certain NABU detectives.

Specifically, two employees of the Bureau, subordinate to Oleksandr Skomarov, accompanied the fugitive while he crossed the Ukrainian state border: they were traveling in an adjacent train compartment “as backup.”

During searches of associates connected to Deputy Khrystenko, investigators found materials related to NABU criminal proceedings, including documents on covert surveillance of suspects, as well as questionnaires of candidates for detective positions at the Bureau. This indicates Russian influence and systemic information leaks from the anti-corruption agency.

Widespread Searches Among NABU Staff

The NABU press service reported that as of 11:00 a.m., at least 70 searches had been conducted by employees of the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigations, and the Prosecutor General’s Office targeting NABU personnel. These searches involved at least 15 NABU employees.

The primary grounds for these actions, in most cases, are cited as the involvement of certain individuals in traffic accidents. However, some employees face accusations of possible ties to the aggressor country.

Meanwhile, an unscheduled inspection of state secrecy protection, initiated by the SSU, has begun. This concerns NABU employees who have access to state secrets and who conduct covert investigative (search) activities. Based on the results of this inspection, the SSU may obtain information about ongoing and planned operational measures and investigative actions by NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.

Additionally, a planned inspection by the State Special Communications Service of Ukraine is underway, covering NABU’s technical infrastructure.