During the searching, the SBU operatives detained a former militant of “DNR” terrorist group who participated in battles against ATO forces.

The pre-trial investigation established that a resident of Donetsk voluntarily joined to a reconnaissance unit of “Shum” battalion of the Cossack union “Oblast viyska Donskoho” in 2014.

Subsequently, being a member of the fire support team of the so-called “1st Slavic Brigade of the 1st Army Corps of the DNR Ministry of Defense”, he actively took part in combat operations against the Ukrainian Army and the ATO forces in the area of Vuhlehirsk, Debaltsevo, Pesky, Spartak, Lohvinovo, and Donetsk airport.

In 2018, the offender left a militant unit and came to the territory controlled by Ukraine. He was hiding in Kharkiv and Kyiv cities. Later the offender moved to Odesa and received new documents. All this time he carefully concealed his membership in IAF of "DNR".

The SBU officers detained the former IAF militant in Odesa city. During the detention, the offender provided false personal data and physically resisted the law enforcement. During the searches in the militant’s residence, the SBU seized computers, mobiles and SIM cards that may confirm his involvement in the “DNR” activities.

The offender received a notice of suspicion for participation in a terrorist group or terrorist organization. A type of detention is being chosen.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

The operation was conducted by the Main SBU Office in Donetsk and Luhansk regions under the legal supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office of Donetsk region.