Journalist Dmytro Bigus made a surprising and quite resonant statement, admitting that he is officially cooperating with the military counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU)
His words and details of this cooperation sparked active discussion in society and among military experts, as it concerns a person who previously worked on human rights and journalistic projects. In his video on the YouTube platform, Bigus explained that he is currently an unofficial employee of the Department of Military Counterintelligence of the SBU. He emphasized that his role is solely to assist in the field of information security and military operations, and not to serve officially within the agency's staff. According to the journalist, his activities are related to supporting the military and counterintelligence in the fight against internal and external threats to the country. "When someone from the SBU does something unacceptable, the editorial team reports on it in detail — filming reports, investigations, and so on. But when it comes to fighting external enemies, I try to help in any possible way. This concerns all our defenders, particularly supporting military counterintelligence. Regarding official documentation, as the deputy Goncharenko published, I have never been an official staff member of the military counterintelligence department; I only possess an ID that allows me to perform certain functions. It states that I can occasionally work on some special projects and visit certain facilities. This is a minimal level of access, but even it enables me to help where needed for our security," Bigus emphasized. It is worth noting that previously, as a journalist, he and his activities in the media were often criticized for tacit support of the military and for investigative reports that often carried political undertones. However, now he has publicly admitted to his cooperation with military counterintelligence, which raises new questions about his role within this system and his actual level of involvement. Sources indicate that the badge of an unofficial employee he obtained excludes the possibility of broad access to secret information or participation in state structural operations in full scope. His functions are limited to occasional execution of specific tasks and visits to relevant facilities under the supervision of military counterintelligence agents. At the same time, Bigus proudly emphasizes that his aid is driven by patriotic motives and direct support of the state in combating external and internal challenges. This confession was received ambiguously by political experts and activists. Some fear that revealing the details of such cooperation may cast doubt on the journalist's objectivity and independence. Others stress the importance of supporting information and military services during wartime, as every such contribution can be valuable in overcoming the enemy. Recall that at the time of publication, Bigus is no longer firmly part of law enforcement and military structures, but his influence and role in this cooperation cast doubt on the traditional perception of the role of an independent journalist and activist in the current conditions of war. He asserts that his support and work are a "small but important part of the joint fight for Ukraine's independence." Time will show how this fact will influence his professional reputation and public discourse overall.