SBU investigators sought full access to VACS internal database

In August 2026, an attempt was made to obtain broad access to confidential information of the Higher Anti-Corruption Court (VACS). Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) investigators Vladyslav Burykin and Oleksandr Vovniuk filed a petition with the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv. They requested permission to copy the full volume of the VACS internal document management database named "D-3" for the period starting from 1 May 2025. This covers more than a year of data.

What the "D-3" system contains

This closed information system stores documents submitted by detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and prosecutors of the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP). These include petitions for search warrants and other case materials.

Reason for the court application

The formal pretext for this measure was a statement by Viktor Vyshniyov, who is accused in the so-called "shashlyk case" (ARMA/"SETAM"). He claimed that on 1 May 2025, there was a possible interference in the automated process of assigning his case at the VACS. Court representatives explain such situations as technical errors related to human factors.

Previously, investigating judge Vadym Kovtunenko ordered the SBU to open a criminal case. In April 2026, investigators obtained limited access to data concerning only the assignment mechanism for Vyshniyov's specific case.

Court reaction and leak risks

VACS representatives objected to the proposal to copy the entire database. They argued that such actions are excessive and would lead to the leakage of data from other cases.

The decision was made by investigating judge Yulia Matveeva. At a closed hearing, she denied the petition, stating that the request goes beyond the scope of the current investigation.

Investigation context

The period for which SBU investigators sought data coincides with NABU and SAP investigations. These include "Midas", "Forrest Gump", "Femida", and "Carthage". High-ranking SBU officials are implicated in the "Carthage" case. It is worth noting that on 4 November, NABU released new audio recordings related to this investigation.