Officers of the State Protection Department of Ukraine claim that the new head has seized power arbitrarily and there is a risk of sabotage against Zelensky

Ten officers of the State Guard Service of Ukraine (UGO) have appealed to President Volodymyr Zelensky and other top officials, complaining about the acting head of the service, Maksym Donets. They allege that after the removal of the previous head, Serhiy Rud, Donets was not officially appointed by presidential decree, as required by law. Instead, he issued an order promoting himself to the position.

The officers consider this act illegal, describing it as a “self-seizure of power in the state law enforcement agency.” They also claim that the new head obstructs UGO employees from performing their duties. Specifically, he has allegedly ordered staff to guard top officials without weapons, violating protocol and potentially leading to unforeseen consequences.

Another grievance concerns the disbandment of two combat units of the UGO that were carrying out tasks on the border of Sumy Oblast with Russia. Additionally, by Donets’ verbal order, the UGO transferred all explosive materials and devices to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), thus “destroying the combat capabilities” of the UGO. This included explosives used by dog handlers to train detection dogs.

“In the context of constant attempts to conduct sabotage against the highest leadership of the state, the aforementioned actions of the acting head of the State Guard Service of Ukraine will eventually enable the enemy to prepare and carry out sabotage using explosive devices against the President of Ukraine, top state leaders or foreign delegation representatives under state protection,” the letter states.

The officers also report that Donets ordered the reassignment of several staff members to the reserve in May without explanation, effectively removing them from service. They were instructed to undergo medical examinations and some were reassigned to a department responsible for tasks such as cleaning portable toilets at checkpoints. Among those reassigned were high-ranking officers, including colonels and department heads.

The signatories believe these orders are illegal and motivated by “personal animosity towards a certain group of subordinates.” They also claim to have received various penalties, ranging from reprimands to demotions, for “disciplinary offenses” or “failure to perform duties,” without any prior internal investigation.

The authors of the appeal request President Zelensky to revoke what they consider illegal orders by Donets and to appoint a legitimate head of the State Guard Service of Ukraine.