President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stripped of their military ranks the ex-chief of the Main Department of Internal Security of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) Andriy Naumov and the former Head of the Kherson Regional Office of the SSU Serhiy Kryvoruchko. Zelenskyy announced the decision in his video address.
"One more decision was made today, Regarding anti-heroes. Now I don't have time to deal with all the traitors. But all of them will receive their punishment. Therefore, the ex-chief of the Main Department of Internal Security of the Security Service of Ukraine, Andriy Olegovych Naumov, and the former Head of the Kherson Regional Office of the Security Service of Ukraine, Serhiy Oleksandrovych Kryvoruchk, are no longer generals," said the President.
Zelenskyy stressed that all officers who betrayed their motherland would be stripped of their ranks.
"Those senior officers who have not decided where their homeland is, who violated their oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people to defend our country, its freedom and independence, will inevitably be deprived of their military ranks, according to article 48 of the Disciplinary Statute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," said the President.
"Random generals don't belong here! To the Security Service's real heroes - our absolute gratitude, same as everyone who sincerely defends our state. There are many heroes among our service people. We thank them," added Zelenskyy.
Andriy Naumov was the subject of several journalistic investigations regarding imports contraband and corruption schemes at the customs. He was also investigated for acquiring luxury assets incompatible with the official income of a government official. Naumov left Ukraine on February 23, right before the start of the full-scale invasion by Russia. He was accompanied by several people. His family went before him. In March, the police forces conducted searches at several addresses connected to Naumov.
Naumov joined the SSU in 2019, about the time when Ivan Bakanov became the head of the agency. In October 2020, Skhemy (Ukrainian anti-corruption investigative journalism project - translator's note) revealed information about numerous luxury assets belonging to Naumov's family members. Naumov left his position at the end of July 2021 but, according to the journalists, didn't lose his influence.