Today, on 6 January, the Verkhovna Rada supported the decision to summon SBU Head Vasyl Malyuk to parliament in the case of illegal surveillance of journalists. Immediately afterwards, the agency's press service issued a statement by Malyuk, in which he promised to do everything possible to ensure that every media could work freely in Ukraine.
"Today, the Security Service of Ukraine is making a crucial contribution to the defence of the country. Counter-intelligence officers, fighters of the Special Forces "A", investigators, cyber specialists, operatives, analysts - all SBU employees are united in bringing our Victory closer," the statement reads.
Malyuk notes that the SBU fighters are completing combat operations in the hottest spots of the frontline: they have destroyed more than $1 billion worth of Russian armoured vehicles, including more than 500 tanks.
"We are also actively working with UAVs. Our targets include air defence systems and military facilities in the occupied Crimea. Our unique developments of Sea baby and Mamay marine drones have changed the deployment of forces in the Black Sea. In particular, we have hit 8 ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet," said the head of the agency.
He also mentioned other SBU special operations.
"In such circumstances, the actions of individual employees of the Department for the Protection of National Statehood are truly outrageous. Unfortunately, the measures taken to combat organised drug crime have not only led to information about the involvement of one of the editorial staff in the distribution of drugs, but also to the public spreading of video materials. I emphasise that such actions are unacceptable and have already led to a number of personnel decisions," Malyuk said.
Among other things, he noted that he had sent a request for the dismissal of the head of the SBU's Department of National Statehood Protection, and the President of Ukraine signed a corresponding decree on 31 January.
"My position is unequivocal - the actions of individual employees cannot negate all the positive results achieved by the SBU during the war and cast a shadow on every representative of the Service: both those who are fighting the enemy inside the country and those SBU colleagues who are giving their lives on the battlefield for Ukraine. There must be punishment for any illegal actions," Malyuk stressed.
He noted that he is proud of his SBU officers - those who perform real combat missions, catch collaborators and traitors, really destroy the occupiers and fight crime.
"This is the true face of an effective and professional Security Service. And I, as the Head of the SBU, will do everything possible to ensure that every media can work freely in Ukraine. Today, we are not just building a renewed SBU, but defending democratic values, including freedom of speech and media independence. For me personally, this is now a top priority!" assures Malyuk.
He believes that this is how Ukraine differs from authoritarian Russia and will continue to do so.
The day before, the Bihus.Info team said that they had been followed by the Security Service of Ukraine, and the operation was organised by the Department for the Protection of National Statehood.