---
title: "\"They used information bombs\": Klymenko comments for the first time on his name appearing in the 'Carthage' case tapes"
description: "NSDC Secretary Ihor Klymenko has commented for the first time on his name appearing in NABU's 'Carthage' case tapes, stating that the leader of the 'Khimprom' group threatened to orchestrate a political crisis and launch a fake campaign against officials."
date: 2026-11-06T19:37:02.788Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/klimenko-comments-nabu-tapes-khimprom-carthage
tags: [ukraine, nabu, klimenko, snbo, khimprom, drug-syndicate, synthetic-cannabinoids, cartage-case]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# "They used information bombs": Klymenko comments for the first time on his name appearing in the 'Carthage' case tapes

![NSDC Secretary Ihor Klymenko in a black shirt sitting against a blue screen during a speech](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/06/klimenko-kommentiruet-plyonki-nabu-kimprom-kartfagen/klimenko-kommentiruet-plyonki-nabu-kimprom-kartfagen-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Ihor Klymenko publicly commented for the first time on his name appearing in NABU recordings on the 'Carthage' case
- According to Klymenko, the group's leader 'Mexican' threatened a political crisis and a fake information campaign against officials
- The 'Khimprom' group exploited legislative gaps regarding synthetic cannabinoids and sold drugs through a network of stores
- The store network was completely liquidated in April after coordinating the resolution with the Ministry of Health and National Police
- NABU Head Oleksandr Abakumov confirmed that Burkin tried to block the ban on synthetic cannabinoids

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko has publicly commented for the first time on his surname appearing in the recordings released by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) as part of the case concerning the 'Khimprom' drug syndicate, known in the media space as the 'Carthage' case. Speaking at a meeting with journalists, the official reacted emotionally to his name featuring in the investigation materials and detailed the pressure mechanisms that, according to him, the criminal group applied against civil servants.

### 'Information bombs' and the threat of a political crisis

According to Klymenko, the recordings feature one of the group's leaders nicknamed 'Mexican' — Yegor Burkin, whom NABU Detectives Head Oleksandr Abakumov previously named as the leader of the Russian 'Khimprom' drug syndicate — threatening to trigger a political crisis in the country, orchestrate the dismissal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs leadership, and launch a large-scale information campaign with fake materials via a number of Telegram channels and websites. 'In other words, they used such information bombs to blow things up, to undermine officials' reputations in this informational noise. It was an element of pressure,' the NSDC Secretary stated.

### Shadow budgets and the search for leverage

Klymenko recalled that the criminal group possessed colossal shadow budgets and purposefully sought ways to influence the then-Minister of Internal Affairs so that he would not initiate restrictions capable of undermining their illegal business. According to NABU data, it was Burkin ('Mexican') who tried to block the ban on synthetic cannabinoids in Ukraine, using both direct contacts with officials and threats of a public scandal for this purpose.

### Legislative gap and store network

The NSDC Secretary noted that the group exploited gaps in Ukrainian legislation regarding synthetic cannabinoids and distributed narcotic substances through a network of specialized stores. Closing this legal loophole required developing a resolution in which, according to Klymenko, 'chemical formulas had to be written out.' Work on the document took two and a half months, and the initiative was agreed upon with the Ministry of Health and the Head of the National Police. 'It was important to truly ban all derivatives belonging to this chemical element,' he emphasized.

### Liquidation of the network and further steps

Klymenko reported that following prolonged operational work, investigations, and the adoption of relevant government decisions, law enforcement agencies completely liquidated the store network back in April. According to him, not a single such point is functioning today, but work to identify and bring all involved individuals to criminal liability continues. Thus, the 'Carthage' case remains open, and investigative bodies intend to carry out procedural work until all links of the criminal structure are fully exposed.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- ["Я офигел": Клименко впервые высказался о своем упоминании в пленках НАБУ](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ya-ofigel-klimenko-vpershe-vislovivsya-svoyu-1793993407.html) - Primary source: direct quotes from Klymenko at a meeting with journalists, reference to Abakumov's statement, chronology of network liquidation (April), details of drafting the resolution (2.5 months, chemical formulas, coordination with the Ministry of Health and National Police). All facts in the article are taken from this source.

## FAQ

### Why did Klymenko's surname appear in the 'Carthage' case tapes?

According to Klymenko himself and NABU data, the leader of the 'Khimprom' group nicknamed 'Mexican' (Yegor Burkin) tried to influence the then-Minister of Internal Affairs so he would not initiate a ban on synthetic cannabinoids. On the recordings, the figure threatened to orchestrate a political crisis and launch a fake information campaign against officials.

### What exactly did the 'Khimprom' group do?

The group used gaps in legislation regarding synthetic cannabinoids and sold drugs through a network of stores. According to NABU, it possessed significant shadow budgets and sought leverage over government bodies.

### When and how was the store network liquidated?

According to Klymenko, after prolonged operational work and government decisions, the network was completely liquidated in April. The resolution banning synthetic cannabinoid derivatives took 2.5 months to develop and was agreed upon with the Ministry of Health and the Head of the National Police.

### Is the investigation ongoing?

Yes. Klymenko stated that law enforcement agencies are continuing their work to identify and hold all involved persons accountable. The 'Carthage' case remains open.