
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has initiated criminal proceedings for the leak of state secrets after a publication in the newspaper “Ukrainska Pravda”. The article quotes the words of the Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, spoken at a closed session in the Verkhovna Rada.
Criminal proceedings have been opened under Part Two of Article 328 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine against persons who received secret information at a closed session in the Verkhovna Rada on January 28, 2025, This was confirmed by the Security Service of Ukraine. The information leak occurred after “Ukrainska Pravda” published Budanov’s statement that Ukraine could be under threat if serious negotiations to end the war are not held by the summer of 2025. Sevgil Musayeva, editor-in-chief of Ukrainska Pravda, said the newspaper acted in accordance with Ukrainian and international law, adhered to journalistic standards, protected its sources, and acted within the law.
On January 27, Ukrainska Pravda published an article citing an anonymous participant in a closed session of the Verkhovna Rada. According to the report, Budanov said that if an agreement to end the war is not reached by the summer, “a process dangerous to the very existence of Ukraine” could begin. Military intelligence denied that such statements were made at the meeting. The SBU investigation has sparked a debate about the balance between freedom of speech and protecting national security.
Ukrainska Pravda insists that it acted responsibly, and intelligence agencies are investigating possible leaks of information from the closed session.