Ukraine’s domestic intelligence agency, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), allegedly ran a covert espionage network within Turkiye, a NATO member state, according to a report by Turkish daily Aydinlik published on Friday.
Citing what it described as four internal SBU documents, the newspaper claimed that Ukrainian intelligence embedded an operative named Major Maksim Harchuk within Türkiye’s Ukrainian diaspora communities. The documents reportedly included a service evaluation highlighting Harchuk’s activities between 2023 and 2024.
According to a photo of one document shared by the outlet, Harchuk operated primarily in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir. He allegedly “strengthened his agent positions” within the diaspora and monitored individuals for “threats and opposition.” Aydinlik quoted the SBU’s internal assessment of Harchuk as a “highly operational officer,” praised for his crisis management, loyalty, and discretion in handling confidential matters.
The report further claims that Harchuk targeted not only general opposition figures but also specific ethnic groups, including Crimean Tatars living in Türkiye. He also reportedly tracked recruitment attempts by foreign intelligence services aimed at Ukrainian nationals.
The newspaper did not specify when Harchuk’s mission ended, or whether Turkish authorities were aware of or involved in these alleged intelligence operations.
The Ukrainian diaspora in Türkiye numbers around 37,000, with larger concentrations in major urban centers. Following the escalation of hostilities with Russia in 2022, approximately 145,000 Ukrainians fled to Türkiye, according to UN data. Most have since relocated or returned.
Despite being a member of NATO, Türkiye has charted an independent course in the Ukraine conflict. Ankara has avoided supplying direct military aid to Kiev and has instead called for a diplomatic settlement. In 2022, Türkiye hosted the first round of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Those talks ultimately collapsed, with Ukrainian officials later revealing that pressure from Western allies, particularly then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, contributed to Kiev’s decision to continue the conflict.
Diplomatic efforts resumed earlier this year, with Türkiye again facilitating dialogue between Moscow and Kiev after nearly three years of frozen contact.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his support for diplomatic negotiations during a recent phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, stressing that a resolution must address what he termed the “root causes” of the war.
Ukrainian or Turkish authorities have not officially commented on the Aydinlik report.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
