Former SBU general Serhii Duka detained in Ukraine’s “Carthage” corruption investigation
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies detained former SBU general Serhii Duka during the “Carthage” operation and searched the homes of senior security and police officials. The Higher Anti-Corruption Court placed Duka under 60-day house arrest with a possible 100 million hryvnia bail after detectives said armed SBU personnel resisted the search and Duka attempted to destroy evidence. Five people have been notified of suspicion in a criminal organization alleged to have protected call centers, drug trafficking, counterfeiting, and other illegal businesses.
Key points
- Serhii Duka was detained on 4 November in Roslychy, Kyiv region, during the “Carthage” operation.
- The Higher Anti-Corruption Court imposed 60-day house arrest on Duka with a possible 100 million hryvnia bail.
- NABU and SAP notified five people of suspicion and conducted more than 70 searches on 4 November.
- Armed SBU personnel allegedly aimed weapons at NABU detectives and obstructed the execution of a court-ordered search.
- Duka allegedly attempted to destroy two phones and one hard drive while the search was underway.
- NABU opened a separate criminal proceeding concerning resistance to investigators; the State Bureau of Investigation is investigating it.
- The alleged criminal organization supported fraudulent call centers, drug trafficking, counterfeit cigarettes and currency, and violent crimes.
Why it matters
Duka’s detention and the court measure mark a major escalation of the “Carthage” inquiry into alleged links between senior Ukrainian law-enforcement officials and organized crime. The alleged armed resistance and destruction of evidence add institutional significance, while the broader case spans bribery, fraudulent call centers, narcotics, counterfeiting, and violence.
What happened
NABU and SAP detained Duka on 4 November in the village of Roslychy in Kyiv region after searching his home under a court order. Detectives said Duka emerged with a pistol and destroyed two phones and a hard drive, while armed SBU personnel aimed weapons with laser sights at detectives and obstructed the search. After prolonged negotiations and the arrival of Duka’s lawyers, investigators completed the search and detained him without a shooting. The same day, NABU and SAP said they had conducted more than 70 searches involving senior SBU and police officials and notified five people of suspicion. The Higher Anti-Corruption Court then placed Duka under 60-day house arrest with a possible 100 million hryvnia bail.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting focuses on the scale of the investigation, the detention and searches involving senior SBU and police officials, and allegations that law-enforcement insiders enabled organized crime. Particular attention has centered on the confrontation during Duka’s search, the alleged destruction of evidence, armed resistance by SBU personnel, and restrictions on media access to his court hearing.
How international sources describe it
International coverage emphasizes the transnational dimensions of the case: a Russian-linked cartel, fraudulent call centers that initially targeted Russia before shifting to European citizens, alleged violence in an office in Vienna, and equipment for producing counterfeit euros purchased in Berlin. European law-enforcement authorities had repeatedly urged Ukraine to eliminate fraudulent call centers, while investigators said the networks threatened Ukraine’s European integration and international support.
Where reporting differs
Accounts differ over the tool Duka used to destroy the phones and hard drive: most identify a hammer, while one version names an axe. Sources also disagree over whether the arrest took place on 4 November 2025 or 4 November 2026; the event date supplied for this story is 6 November 2026, and most supplied accounts give the arrest date without a year.
Background
NABU and SAP are investigating the “Carthage” case, which they say uncovered a criminal organization that provided improper benefits to senior law-enforcement officials in return for enabling fraudulent call centers and other illegal businesses. Five participants were notified of suspicion, and investigators said more than 70 searches were conducted. Court proceedings concerning Duka were held without journalists in the courtroom; the SBU cited a possible terrorist threat, and Duka’s defense requested closed proceedings.