Last week, the Ukrainian government fired two of its top cybersecurity officials, who are accused of embezzlement. Now, one of them has been detained.
Ukraine’s senior cabinet official Taras Melnychuk announced the firings in a public post on Telegram last week. The two officials are Yurii Shchyhol, head of Ukraine’s State Special Communications Service of Ukraine, or SSSCIP, and his deputy Victor Zhora, who had become a staple at international conferences as the public face of Ukraine’s cybersecurity defenders.
On Monday, the High Anti-Corruption Court in Ukraine announced in a press release that a judge had ordered the detention of Zhora as a preventative measure, and that he had been taken into custody, according to a machine translation.
The press release said that the detention will last until January 22, 2024, and imposed a bail of 10,000,584 Ukrainian hryvnia, roughly $275,000.
Zhora previously told TechCrunch, shortly after the charges were announced, that he would “defend my name and reputation in a court.”
The SSSCIP did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On Friday, Zhora tweeted that it was his last day working for SSSCIP.
Disrupt 2026: The tech ecosystem, all in one room
Your next round. Your next hire. Your next breakout opportunity. Find it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where 10,000+ founders, investors, and tech leaders gather for three days of 250+ tactical sessions, powerful introductions, and market-defining innovation. Register now to save up to $400.
Save up to $300 or 30% to TechCrunch Founder Summit
1,000+ founders and investors come together at TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 for a full day focused on growth, execution, and real-world scaling. Learn from founders and investors who have shaped the industry. Connect with peers navigating similar growth stages. Walk away with tactics you can apply immediately
Offer ends March 13.
“Thank you all for your support of our Service and our fight with enemy in cyberspace. Hope my successor will continue supporting all initiatives and international cooperation. Look forward to get back to you soon in my new mission,” he wrote.
On Tuesday, Zhora told TechCrunch that he had left the jail and he was now “out.”
UPDATE, Nov. 28, 2:08 p.m. ET: This story was updated to include the fact that Zhora says he is now out on bail.
