SBU Major General Serhii Duka, a suspect in the 'Carthage' case, has been released from pre-trial detention. The full bail amount of 65 million hryvnia was deposited on Friday, November 13, 2026, after which the HACC press service confirmed the suspect was leaving the detention center. Previously, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) had ordered Duka to be held in custody with an alternative bail of 65 million hryvnia; he was arrested on November 4 during the 'Carthage' special operation, and placed under arrest on November 6 with the right to bail. Seven days later, the required amount was transferred to the court's accounts.
How the bail money was collected
According to Duka's lawyer, Yurii Sukhov, the bail was paid voluntarily, with SBU officers providing the majority of the 65 million hryvnia. The Focus publication, citing gathered data, describes the process differently: on November 7, a day after the HACC ruling, reports emerged of a call to SBU personnel to pool funds to free their colleague. SAPO prosecutor Mykola Karas confirmed in a comment to Radio Liberty that officers were indeed making contributions—some 10,000–20,000 hryvnia, others 50,000–150,000 hryvnia. As of November 10, 44 million hryvnia had been received through 1,113 transactions; by November 11, the sum reached 50 million hryvnia, and during the following two days, until November 13, another 10 million hryvnia was collected.
Charges in the 'Carthage' case
According to investigators, Duka provided cover for a criminal organization from SBU scrutiny—he appears on NABU-released recordings under the alias 'Akim'. The case concerns a group that, according to NABU, operated fraudulent call centers, engaged in drug trafficking, and produced counterfeit currency. The investigation alleges that not only individual SBU officials but also members of the National Police and the Prosecutor General's Office were involved in the cover-up. The organization was allegedly headed by three-time convicted felon Andrii Osipov, nicknamed 'Criminal', who coordinated activities with Russian citizen Egor Burkin, known as 'Mexican' and identified by investigators as the leader of the transnational 'Khimprom' drug cartel.
Attacks, torture, and links to the FSB
The suspects are charged with organizing attacks, kidnappings, and torture. Notably, leaked recordings discussed an acid attack on journalist Denys Bihus due to his team's investigations. The case files also reference 'Mexican's' links to the Russian FSB: on audio recordings, he allegedly mentioned multiple contacts with the Russian security service. In court, the SAPO prosecutor reported that during raids, Duka allegedly destroyed mobile phones with an axe while armed individuals blocked NABU detectives from entering his home.
Duka's position and his status within the SBU
The general himself denied the validity of the allegations and stated that the arrest was an act of revenge by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau. Following his arrest, the SBU leadership dismissed Duka from his position as First Deputy Head of the Department for the Protection of National Statehood. However, according to lawyer Sukhov, he remains formally employed by the Security Service. The lawyer added that the general might be targeted by Russians, so he will continue to be protected by the 'Alpha' special unit. Separately, RBC-Ukraine noted that journalists were barred from the courtroom during the bail hearing.
