Security Service of Ukraine launches investigation over leak of Budanov's statement
Photo: Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has opened a criminal case over the alleged leak of a statement by Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, stated the SSU press service in a comment to RBC-Ukraine.
According to the Security Service, the criminal case was initiated over the disclosure of information constituting state secrets by individuals who were directly entrusted with this information during a closed, classified meeting of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Ukrainian Parliament - ed.).
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing and is being conducted under part 2 of Article 328 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Rumors about Budanov's statement
Earlier, media outlets reported that Kyrylo Budanov, during a closed meeting with parliamentarians and representatives of the Defense Forces, allegedly stated that if "serious negotiations" do not take place by summer, there would be a threat to Ukraine's existence.
In response to the rumors, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine emphasized that such a statement by Budanov was not true.
The intelligence service urged the media not to spread rumors or unverified, unconfirmed information, as it could harm the country's security.
