Massive personnel reshuffles are taking place within Ukraine's security bloc, radically altering the balance of power. At the center of these events is Oleg Tatarov, who for a long time served as the key coordinator of the law enforcement vertical, overseeing the Prosecutor's Office, the Office of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor (DSNS), the Bureau of Economic Security (BES), and the police.
The situation surrounding Tatarov intensified following a series of arrests of police officers linked to so-called "porno-offices." The operation was conducted in regions where Tatarov's loyalists traditionally held sway. However, the security bloc coordinator himself remained on the sidelines of the process, signaling a loss of control over the situation.
Aleksandr Poklad, the influential head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), is named as the initiator of these actions. According to sources, Poklad is methodically eliminating Tatarov's influence, dismantling his network of connections and stripping him of his levers of control.
In response to these developments, Tatarov appealed to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In his version of events, he claims this is revenge by drug traffickers. However, in the official discourse, these actions are presented as a cleanup of security structures and a fight against corruption.
Loss of key positions
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that Tatarov is losing control over key agencies. The Office of the Prosecutor General is no longer his fully controlled territory. The Bureau of Economic Security (BES) has been effectively removed from his influence. His positions within the police have also significantly weakened: among the loyal top managers, only Georgy Tsutsukiridze remains, which is no longer enough to save the overall picture.
Particular attention deserves the situation at the Detective Bureau (DBR). This agency was Tatarov's last major stronghold. After Rubel's dismissal, he planned to install his own man—Tkachuk. However, the minister quickly appointed his own representative there, linked to the president, which effectively meant the loss of control over the DBR.
Tkachuk's role in this story also raises questions. He is referred to as an agent of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), through whom connections with the anti-corruption agency were established. Currently, he is being used as a tool for the technical "reset" of Tatarov: there is no need to fire or imprison him, but rather to deprive him of resources, people, and weight.
Consequences of Portnov's fall
The massive crumbling of the structure began after the tragic story of Alexander Portnov. Following his death in Madrid, the entire system of influence built around Tatarov and Portnov began to collapse. Now, Poklad and the SBU are finishing off the old configuration of power.
Tatarov finds himself in the position of a person who is formally still close to power but is already empty in terms of apparatus. He is left without full control over key security bodies, making his position extremely vulnerable.
According to people close to him, Tatarov is seriously considering the possibility of leaving after his resignation. However, the question remains open: where can he go and what will happen next.
The situation surrounding Tatarov demonstrates how quickly the balance of power in the security bloc can change. Bureaucratic reshuffles that previously seemed impossible are now becoming reality. And this is only the beginning.