Scandal at the National Police: top officials suspected of covering up "porn offices"

A large-scale anti-corruption special operation unfolded simultaneously in three regions of Ukraine. The Office of the Prosecutor General, together with the SBU, announced the exposure of a scheme under which certain heads of territorial units of the National Police may have provided “cover” for a network of so‑called “porn offices”.

According to the investigation, these were premises where erotic and pornographic video material was illegally produced and distributed online. Police officials in the Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil and Zhytomyr regions are under suspicion.

Today investigative actions began simultaneously in the main police directorates of the three regions. Law enforcement officers are checking the role of each official who may have been involved in the scheme.

According to investigators, a key figure was the driver of one of the Deputy Ministers of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. It is alleged that he, using contacts among police leadership, negotiated non-interference by law enforcement in the activities of the illegal business.

Investigators say the scheme operated according to a clear financial mechanism: monthly 20 thousand US dollars were received by the leadership of the regional police unit, and another 5 thousand US dollars remained with the intermediary as a fee.

To conceal their activities, participants in the scheme used code designations, messengers and did not discuss details openly.

During the investigation, law enforcement officers have already documented several incidents of money transfers.

In February 2026 the intermediary received 45 thousand US dollars. According to the investigation, part of this money was intended for the leadership of the police in one of the regions, and the other part — for the intermediary himself.

In April 2026 he received another 25 thousand US dollars. From this amount 20 thousand dollars were to be handed to one of the deputy chiefs of the regional police, and 5 thousand dollars remained with him.

Separately, law enforcement documented the transfer of 20 thousand US dollars to a police official in another region through a close person who, investigators say, did not even know the criminal nature of their actions. Later another similar transfer of funds was recorded.

Today the intermediary was detained while receiving another tranche of 25 thousand US dollars. According to the investigation, 20 thousand dollars were again intended for one of the regional police leaders, and 5 thousand dollars remained with him.

One law enforcement officer has now been notified of suspicion under Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — receiving an unlawful benefit in an especially large amount.

The operation is being conducted with the assistance of the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the Department of Internal Security of the National Police. Investigative actions continue.

Earlier we wrote:

• Permits for hazardous work for bribes: a scheme in the State Labor Service uncovered in Mykolaiv region
• $110 thousand for a case about ties with the RF: SBU employees exposed for taking a bribe
• In Mykolaiv military TCC personnel were detained for a bribe: for $2,400 they promised “to remove from the wanted list”
• $620 thousand for “protection”: a high-profile scandal in the SBU leadership
• They took dollars for a “rescue” from the TCC: the SBI detained extortionist law enforcement officers