Bakanov received close to half a million hryvnias as compensation upon leaving his position at the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU)

This information was documented in changes made to his financial declaration in June 2023.

The compensation, equivalent to his salary, was granted in August 2022, totaling 434,639 hryvnias, considerably exceeding his typical monthly earnings. Post his departure from the SBU, Bakanov transitioned into an attorney. Contrary to media reports, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) isn’t conducting any inquiries regarding Ivan Bakanov, the former SBU chief.

Prior accounts hinted at Bakanov’s involvement in SBI-led criminal investigations, alleging various charges from corruption to betrayal during the war’s outset. Despite this, the results of the SBU’s internal probe into Bakanov’s actions remained classified.