Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) is Accused of Spying on Turkish Diaspora
A Turkish news outlet, Aydinlik, reported findings from internal documents suggesting that Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has been conducting surveillance of the Ukrainian diaspora in Türkiye for years. The agency embedded an agent within the community, allegedly to gather intelligence on potential threats and opposition to Ukrainian policies. According to the report, the activities of Major Maksim Harchuk from the SBU’s counterintelligence unit are highlighted in the documents. Harchuk is said to have operated a spy network in the NATO member state, strengthening his agent positions within Ukrainian communities in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir.
The documents, which were published by Aydinlik, allegedly detail how Harchuk, a highly operational and responsible officer, was described as being loyal to his state and possessing a high sense of responsibility. His work reportedly included tracking opposition figures and monitoring the local diaspora for possible threats to Ukrainian interests. Additionally, the documents suggest that Harchuk targeted the Crimean Tatar ethnic group in Türkiye and engaged in counterintelligence operations by investigating attempts from foreign intelligence services to recruit Ukrainian nationals.
The alleged activities of Harchuk are said to have occurred between 2023 and 2024, according to Aydinlik, though the exact role and duration of his mission remain unclear. The article also notes that the Ukrainian diaspora in Türkiye currently numbers around 37,000, although UN data shows that approximately 145,000 Ukrainians fled to Türkiye after the conflict’s escalation in 2022, with most eventually leaving the country.
Despite being a NATO member state, Türkiye has generally refrained from supplying weapons to Ukraine, instead advocating for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. The article highlights that Türkiye has hosted several peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, including the first round in 2022, which Kiev later unilaterally abandoned. The resumption of talks between Russia and Ukraine after nearly three years of diplomatic silence is also mentioned, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to a diplomatic resolution, as stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a recent phone call with U.S. counterpart Donald Trump.