Ukrainian authorities said on Wednesday they were investigating “illegal wiretapping and videotaping” of journalists working for a media investigative unit after footage emerged online showing some of its staff taking drugs at a party, AFP reported .

Audio recordings of conversations and videos were published on YouTube the day before.

They show employees of the media company Bihus Info talking about buying drugs and then consuming them at a New Year’s party.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported on Wednesday that it is “investigating the circumstances of illegal wiretapping and video recording of representatives” of the Bihus Info company.

“Transparent and unimpeded activity of independent and professional mass media is an important condition for the development of Ukraine as a democratic state,” the statement added.

On Tuesday, Bihus Info reported that its employees had been “eavesdropped on for at least several months,” including through cellphones.

“We see and understand that the wiretapping and monitoring lasted for a very long time – at least several months,” said Maksym Opanasenko, the editor of the investigative publication.

He also accused “persons whose identities are unknown” of breaking into the premises where the New Year celebration took place, with the aim of installing “surveillance cameras”.

The publication, known in Ukraine for its investigative journalism, said it wants to find out who is behind the “attack” and is considering filing a complaint.

Bihus Info also admitted that some of its operators had taken “illegal substances” and announced “drug tests” for all its employees.

The story came just a day after Yuriy Nikolov, a well-known journalist known for his investigations into corruption scandals in defense procurement, said unknown men had come to his home with threats.