Ukraine’s government has fired two top cybersecurity officials following accusations of embezzlement.
The head of the State Special Communications Service of Ukraine (SSSCIP) Yuri Shtykhor and the deputy head Viktor Zola (pictured), who served as SSSCIP’s deputy chairman and chief digital transformation officer, have both been dismissed by the government, a cabinet official said. I made it.Official Taras Melnychuk In a public post on Telegram.
Melnychuk did not give a reason for his dismissal.
SSSCIP confirmed in a statement Ukraine’s Cabinet announced on Monday the appointment of Dmytro Makovsky as acting head of SSSCIP due to the ongoing investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU).Nabu said in a press release Several members of the SSSCIP senior leadership have been accused of misappropriating and embezzling more than $62 million in state funds.
When asked for comment, Zola told TechCrunch: I will defend my name and reputation in court. ”
Mr. Sichhor could not immediately be reached for comment.
Reuters first reported departure. SSSCIP did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It is unclear whether the U.S. cybersecurity agency CISA, a close partner of the Ukrainian government and SSSCIP, was aware of the layoffs or was notified in advance. A CISA spokesperson did not respond as of press time.
U.S. officials have long touted the close ties between SSSCIP and Zola in particular.Zola and CISA Director Jen Easterly Memorandum of Understanding signed between the US and Ukrainian governments Several months have passed since Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
Zola was recently in the United States to give a keynote speech at Cyberwarcon, a cybersecurity conference.Earlier this year, Zora and Easterly Interviewed together on stage at the Black Hat Security Conference In Las Vegas.
More soon…
Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai contributed reporting.
Source: techcrunch.com
