The detection and detention of Dmytro Kozyura, the head of the SBU Anti-Terrorist Center (ATC), reveals the extent of possible damage to Ukraine’s national security. Having access to all materials related to the preparation and conduct of prisoner of war exchanges, including locations of exchanges, details of agreements and lists of prisoners, the suspect could significantly influence these processes in the interests of the enemy.
According to Radio Liberty, Kozyura was recruited by Russian special services in 2018 in Vienna. He is currently suspected under Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason), which provides for life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
According to LB.ua, Dmytro Kozyura is a colonel of the SBU who has held positions with access to top secret information for more than 20 years. Since 2016, he has been the head of the ATC Headquarters at the SBU.
According to Ukrainian law, the Anti-Terrorist Center at the SBU is a special body created to coordinate counterterrorism activities. The ATC headquarters, which was headed by Koziura, serves as the executive working body of the Center, is formed at the expense of the SBU staff and is subordinate to the head of the Center.
Hromadske reports that the case may continue – Koziura’s parents may also be suspected of justifying Russian aggression against Ukraine.
This situation points to the need to strengthen internal security and to more thoroughly vet employees, even in the highest positions in the structures responsible for national security. This is especially important given that the suspect had access to the documentation of the Joint Center at the SBU, which coordinates the exchange of prisoners between all Ukrainian law enforcement agencies.
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