DBR Director: Proposed Reform Would Destroy Bureau, Suspects Would 'Hang in the Air'
The head of Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation warns that the proposed reform would halt 372,000 investigations and effectively destroy the institution, calling it a threat to law and order during wartime.
Sukhachov: Audit Confirms DBR Capability
Oleksii Sukhachov, Director of the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR), stated in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine that a recent audit by the Accounting Chamber confirmed the Bureau's ability to fulfill its tasks in full. He noted that since December 2025, a powerful campaign against the DBR's current format has intensified, allegedly driven by individuals under investigation.
Reform Under Disguise?
Sukhachov argued that the proposed reform is a "substitution of concepts" hiding pragmatic interests. He emphasized that the DBR is not against improvement, but opposes what he sees as a dismantling of the institution. According to him, the EU's basic requirements call for a comprehensive review of the DBR's institutional framework, which the government has already ordered.
Risks of Certification: 372,000 Investigations at Stake
The director warned that if all employees must undergo certification, investigations would stop. "372,000 investigations would immediately halt, and all our suspects with suspicions would 'hang in the air'," he said. Employees would focus on their future rather than their work, halting expert examinations and quality investigative actions.
Parliamentary Support Against Wartime Reform
Sukhachov claimed that members of the relevant parliamentary committee agree that reforming the DBR during wartime threatens law and order in the Armed Forces and the state overall. The president has ordered proposals for renewal, and a draft law is expected by end of 2026. Three versions of the Anti-Corruption Strategy registered in parliament propose a reset of the DBR and giving international experts veto power over personnel selection.
