Ukrainian parliament session leak sparks SBU investigation
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has initiated an investigation concerning the disclosure of a "state secret." It involves an article by Ukrainska Pravda, published on Monday, which quoted statements allegedly made by the Chief of Military Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, during a closed session of the Ukrainian parliament.
The Security Service of Ukraine has initiated a criminal investigation into the unauthorized release of state secrets by individuals entrusted with this classified information during a confidential session of the Verkhovna Rada. This was confirmed in an official statement from the SBU.
This investigation commenced on Tuesday, the day after publishing the Ukrainska Pravda article "Trump, war, elections: what will shape the new season in Ukrainian politics."
According to Ukrainska Pravda, a closed meeting was recently held in the parliament with the leaders of the Ukrainian parliament, representatives of the factions, and the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Lawmakers wanted to understand the current situation.
One participant, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared his impressions with a journalist from Ukrainska Pravda.
- What stood out the most was Budanov's response. Someone asked him how much time we have left. Kyrylo, with his calm smile, replied: 'If there are no serious negotiations by the summer, dangerous processes could unfold, threatening Ukraine’s very existence…'" - the anonymous interlocutor told the portal.
Intelligence: Such words were not spoken
Soon after this quote was published, the military intelligence denied that Kyrylo Budanov had spoken these words.
Nonetheless, the SBU decided to initiate an investigation into the disclosure of a state secret. The investigation concerns those individuals who were directly entrusted with this information during the closed, secret session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
"What stood out the most was Budanov's response. Someone asked him how much time we have left. Kyrylo, with his calm smile, replied: 'If there are no serious negotiations by the summer, dangerous processes could unfold, threatening Ukraine’s very existence,” commented the editor-in-chief of Ukrainska Pravda, Sevgil Musaieva.
