Vitalii Shabunin, head of the Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Center (ACC), says that the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR) and the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) are involved in the dissemination of his personal images online.
According to Shabunin, private images appeared on Telegram channels after law enforcement officials accessed his phone during a search.
He claims that the incident is a "response" from the heads of the institutions to an ACC publication listing law enforcement officers who tried to destroy the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau.
“I must admit that publishing intimate photos from a phone seized during a search is a new low,” the activist wrote.
DBR’s position: strict measures will be taken if the responsible are found
The State Bureau of Investigations has called the accusations “false” but promised to conduct an internal review of employees who had access to the evidence.
“If any Bureau employees are found responsible for the incident, strict measures will be taken and the individuals will be held legally accountable,” the agency stated.
DBR has emphasized that it operates strictly within the framework of current legislation.
Prosecutor General's Office's position: deliberate discreditation
The PGO has categorically denied any involvement in the dissemination of Shabunin’s personal photos. The office has stated that it has not received a criminal complaint from the activist and emphasized that baseless public accusations may constitute deliberate discrediting of the institution, according to Suspilne.
Legally, the PGO notes that if the photos are not part of a criminal case, their dissemination violates the right to privacy, and investigation is possible only upon the victim’s complaint.
Previous incidents and Shabunin’s suspicion
On 19 November, Shabunin reported that a representative from the Security Service allegedly stole his phone. The activist suspects that this device may have been the source of the leaked photos.
On 11 July 2025, DBR announced suspicions against Shabunin for alleged evasion of military service and fraud. According to the agency, the activist was mobilized in 2022 but failed to report for duty for an extended period.
On the same day, DBR conducted searches at Shabunin’s home and at the military unit where he serves, also seizing his phone. The searches also affected the apartment of Hero of Ukraine, pilot Andrii “Jus” Pilshchykov.
The ACC described the suspicion and searches as lawless and politically motivated, and Shabunin stated that it demonstrates that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “can do anything to anyone.”
