Ukraine’s security service said on Sunday that it had opened a criminal case under the law on information gathering after a “technical device” was found in one of its offices that could be used in the future by Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny, Reuters reports.
The security service said on Telegram that it had launched an investigation under the article of the Ukrainian Criminal Code “Illegal acquisition, sale or use of special technical means for obtaining information”.
The device, which local media initially called a “bug”, according to preliminary information, was “in an inoperable state”, and no means of storing information or remotely transmitting audio recordings were found. The service said:
“We emphasise that the device was found not directly in Valery Zaluzhny’s office but in one of the premises that could have been used by him in the future for work. The Security Service of Ukraine is taking all legally prescribed measures to investigate this offence.”
Zaluzhny is mentioned as a possible target for a reshuffle in the top military ranks amid a chill in relations with President Volodymyr Zelensky, who disagrees with his views on the the 21-month-long war.
Zaluzhny earlier reported that the war was entering a stage of attrition. Volodymyr Zelensky disagreed with this opinion.
