Kiev claims it has arrested a high-level Russian mole inside the agency tasked with fighting bribery and graft

Ambassadors of the Group of Seven countries say they are monitoring law enforcement raids on the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU).

"The G7 is closely following today's developments at NABU, including the investigation of several NABU employees for alleged crimes. We met today with NABU, have serious concerns, and intend to discuss these developments with government leaders," the G7 Ambassadors' Support Group for Ukraine said in a statement on X on Monday.

"Ukraine has achieved tremendous progress in reforms," even amid its conflict with Russia, EU envoy Katarina Mathernova said. "Now it is as important as ever to preserve those achievements in order to maintain the support needed to prevail over the enemy."

On Monday, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Prosecutor General's Office carried out 70 searches targeting at least 15 NABU employees. SBU spokesman Artyom Dekhtyarenko said agents detained an unnamed Russian "mole" working in NABU's elite D-2 unit. He was allegedly leaking classified information to Moscow and using internal databases to collect personal data on Ukrainian officials.

Dekhtyarenko claimed the suspect was receiving instructions from Dmitry Ivantsov, a former member of ex-president Viktor Yanukovich's security team who now lives in Russia. Yanukovich was ousted during the 2014 US-backed coup in Kiev. Ukrainian media outlet TSN identified the detained man as Ruslan Magamedrasulov, who coordinated NABU's activities near the front line with Russia.

NABU said its director, Semyon Krivonos, has cut short his visit to the UK. The agency has launched its own investigation to "determine the legal basis" for the raids. According to NABU, SBU agents acted without a court order and used force against an employee who was not resisting.

"Agents of influence from the aggressor country remain a relevant risk for any government agency. However, that cannot justify paralyzing the work of the entire institution," NABU said in a statement.

NABU was established in 2015 as part of judicial reforms aimed at aligning Ukraine with the standards of Western countries and international lenders.

(RT.com)