SBU CI employees and investigators exposed in Kharkiv region the mechanism of financing "L/DNR" terrorist organizations through the deals with social benefits.

SBU established that the illegal scheme was set up by a resident of Donetsk region. For money, the dealer offered to residents of temporarily occupied territories assistance in illegal charging of pensions and other types of social benefits.

With the support of so-called law enforcement authorities and social security institutions of quasi-republics, the dealer processed documents on residents of separatist-held territories. "L/DNR" terrorist organizations’ militants and deceased persons were detected among those, who “received” social benefits.

According to SBU materials, the suspect transferred part of the income to the representatives of the so-called Ministry of State Security of “L/DNR” (“MGD L/DNR”).

During the searches of the suspects’ residences in Bakhmut and Sloviiansk towns, the law enforcement seized documents proving the illegal activity, as well as RUB 2,3 million (USD 30,000), allegedly intended for financing of terrorist organizations.

The issue of serving to the organizer of the illegal scheme a notice of suspicion of financing actions aimed at forcible change or overthrow of constitutional order or takeover of government (Art. 110-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) is being settled.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office of Kharkiv region.