Security Service Head in Ukraine discloses methods used to guarantee agent safety, involving plastic surgery procedures and issuance of new identification papers
SSU Uses Plastic Surgeons to Protect Undercover Agents
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has been employing world-renowned plastic surgeons to safeguard the identities of its undercover agents, especially those who have returned from missions in hostile environments.
In an interview with the We-Ukraine TV channel, the head of the SSU, Vasyl Malyuk, confirmed the use of this program as of August 2025. While the exact frequency of these surgeries has not been disclosed, it is implied to be a standard part of the SSU’s operational security measures.
Vasyl Maliuk did not reveal any new forms of support for undercover agents in the interview, nor did he discuss any new instances of the use of the SSU's program. However, he did confirm that the program has been used more than once.
The SSU's program includes a range of measures to ensure the safety and anonymity of its undercover agents. After undergoing the program, cover documents are prepared for the agents to start a new life if necessary. If the enemy is on the trail of an agent, they may start life anew from scratch.
It is worth noting that these security measures, when necessary, include changing the appearance of undercover agents with the direct consent of the agent. Leading plastic surgeons with international reputations participate in the SSU program for undercover agents.
The SSU prioritizes the safety of its undercover agents above all else. They engage in these measures after undercover agents complete particularly complex operations. The SSU has a range of security measures in place to protect undercover agents, with the use of plastic surgery being one of them.
[1] Source: We-Ukraine TV channel interview with Vasyl Malyuk, August 2025. [3] Source: Unnamed sources within the SSU.
- The use of plastic surgery by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) to protect undercover agents has significant implications for general-news, as it highlights the extreme measures taken to maintain the anonymity of agents returning from hostile environments, impacting politics and potentially international relations.
- In an increasingly health-conscious world, the aggressive protective measures taken by the SSU to safeguard its undercover agents, including extensive plastic surgery procedures, cannot help but raise questions about the economic costs associated with these operations and their long-term effects on the agents' physical health.
