Andrii Derkach represented Ukrainians in the Verkhovna Rada for 25 years, being elected seven times as a people's deputy. Simultaneously, he was awarded the title Hero of Russia and became a senator in Moscow, openly declaring his ties to Russian intelligence.
Derkach's father, Leonid, worked in the KGB for over 20 years and headed the SBU after Ukraine gained independence. A parliamentary inquiry linked him to major political crimes, including the Gongadze case. Andrii Derkach studied at the FSB Academy in Moscow and wrote his dissertation on agent recruitment. After returning to Ukraine, he worked in the SBU and advanced in both public service and politics.
Since 1998, Derkach served as an MP for over two decades, each time representing a new political force. He also led "Energoatom", signing joint projects with Rosatom that were later recognized as violating Ukrainian law.
In parallel, Derkach built a media empire, using it to influence public opinion—including to discredit NABU and his political opponents. His actions in spreading information about Joe Biden and Hunter Biden during the US election caused international scandals.
In 2020, the US imposed sanctions on Derkach for attempting to interfere in the US presidential election and for close ties with Russian intelligence. After the start of Russia's large-scale invasion, Derkach left Ukraine, later receiving the Hero of Russia title and a senatorial post in the Russian Federation Council.
Even abroad, Derkach remained influential, maintaining connections that continued to affect Ukrainian politics and the economy. His activities harmed Ukraine's reputation in the West, provoking political accusations and pulling the country into international scandals.
The Derkach case is not closed: his agents may still be active today. It shows how long-term intelligence activities can damage a state on many levels. Ukraine continues to fight such threats and calls for support for its defense forces.
