KYIV, Ukraine – July 21, 2025 – Authorities have detained Ruslan Magamedrasulov, a senior investigator with Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), on suspicion of aiding Russia. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Prosecutor General’s office announced the arrest, which is part of a broader operation to address Russian influence within NABU.
NABU Investigator Accused of Collaborating with Russia
A top Ukrainian anti-corruption investigator is facing charges of aiding Russia, sparking a wide-ranging probe into national institutions.
- Ruslan Magamedrasulov, a head of NABU departments, has been detained.
- He is suspected of facilitating business with Russia and maintaining contacts with Russian economic representatives.
- His father, who has Russian citizenship, allegedly organized illegal technical hemp cultivation.
- The investigation also points to Magamedrasulov’s contacts with a pro-Russian politician who fled Ukraine.
- His mother reportedly expresses support for Russia’s war and justifies war crimes on social media.
Ukrainian anti-corruption investigator Ruslan Magamedrasulov is suspected of illicit business dealings with Russia. According to case materials, Magamedrasulov, deployed in Dnipro, was responsible for coordinating NABU’s activities in front-line regions, specifically Dnipro and Zaporizhzhya. However, law enforcement officials claim he maintained contacts with the aggressor nation and arranged to sell technical hemp with representatives of the Russian economy.
The investigation alleges that Magamedrasulov acted as an intermediary in Russia’s Republic of Dagestan for shipments of technical hemp. The cultivation of this hemp was reportedly organized by his father, entrepreneur September Magamedrasulov. Authorities believe this activity constitutes helping his father engage in illegal trade with the Russian Federation, thereby damaging Ukraine.
Further details indicate the NABU official had close ties with Fedor Khristenko, a people’s deputy from the banned OPZZh party. Khristenko has reportedly fled Ukraine, collaborates with Russian special services, and exerts influence over NABU’s operations.
During the pre-trial investigation, it was established that Ruslan Magamedrasulov’s father, September Magamedrasulov, holds Russian citizenship. This fact was allegedly omitted by the NABU official when applying for access to state secrets, a violation of the law.
The suspect’s mother, Irina Magamedrasulova, resides in Kyiv but receives a pension from the self-proclaimed “DPR.” She has been observed posting pro-Russian comments on social media, particularly in groups displaying the Z symbol. The SBU states they possess evidence suggesting she actively supports Russia’s war against Ukraine in conversations and justifies alleged Russian war crimes.
Information gathered points to Ruslan Magamedrasulov’s contacts with Russian special services and the potential transfer of secret information, which is now part of the ongoing investigation.
Officials noted that during the documentation of Magamedrasulov’s alleged unlawful activities, it was discovered he was supposed to be based in Dnipro, overseeing work in front-line areas. Instead, he spent most of his time in Kyiv and recently vacationed on the Canary Islands, specifically Tenerife.
This development follows nationwide searches across Ukraine on July 21. The SBU and Prosecutor General’s office initiated a special operation aimed at “neutralizing Russian influence on NABU,” reportedly involving around 80 searches in various regions. NABU has stated that these investigative actions are proceeding without court orders.
