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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
The anti-corruption agencies themselves did not disclose the principle by which they choose names for their operations.
The most recent operations of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office received loud and recognizable names — “Midas,” “Forrest Gump,” “Themis,” and “Carthage.” There may be several reasons for choosing such names, Radio Svoboda writes.
Giving special operations interesting names is not new worldwide. According to the first deputy chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy, Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, unexpected names are chosen for the sake of secrecy.
“When, for example, the FBI in the United States conducts an investigation, they also give veiled, coded names to their operations. This is done for the purpose of secrecy. NABU and SAP do not want, when cases are discussed, for it to be obvious what is being talked about and to avoid frightening those who appear on the recordings,” the deputy said in an interview with Radio Svoboda.
Another reason for choosing names from among the names of ancient kings, goddesses, cities, or heroes of well-known films may be an attempt to attract attention. A kind of element of broad publicity.
“This is about PR, about additional publicity and informational influence, because all investigative operations of anti-corruption bodies, all investigations, are accompanied by a serious media campaign to support them. And within the framework of strategic communications and the needed media focus, these names are given,” political scientist Oleg Saakyan told the media in an interview.
Additionally, the wide resonance created, in particular, by the case name is an attempt by anti-corruption bodies to protect their independence and withstand pressure.
“To take NABU and SAP out from under a possible strike. The more public attention and publicity there is, the safer the anti-corruption bodies themselves are, and the less likely attacks on NABU and SAP will succeed. And these agencies do indeed need such protection,” Yurchyshyn explained.
At the same time, NABU and SAP themselves have not reported why they chose one name or another for their special operations.
Earlier it was reported that at the end of August, People’s Deputy from Batkivshchyna Serhiy Vlasenko registered resolution No. 15568 on the formation of a new temporary investigative commission which, if the draft gathers the required number of votes from deputies, will revive the scandalous Vlasenko-Buzhansky commission. Last year it “distinguished itself” by fighting anti-corruption activists. The explanatory note to the draft law confirms — the new commission will continue to “investigate” corruption risks within the anti-corruption infrastructure.
NABU and SAP have repeatedly stated that they expect renewed pressure, and an attempt to revive the scandalous Vlasenko-Buzhansky commission could be the first step in that direction. However, Bureau Director Semen Kryvonos said that 2025-y was successful for anti-corruption, since the institutions proved their effectiveness and, thanks to Ukrainians, defended their independence. He added that Ukraine needs systemic reforms to strengthen such structures.
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "«Мідас», «Форрест Гамп», «Карфаген»: ЗМІ дізналися, чому НАБУ та САП можуть обирати гучні назви для спецоперацій". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: ZN.ua.
