SBU investigators served in absentia a notice of suspicion to a lieutenant colonel of Ukrainian Armed Forces who in 2014 betrayed the military oath and took the invader’s side.

The pre-trial investigation established that a resident of Zhytomyr city in 1999 graduated from a national university, which prepares the specialists in the field of ground and airborne military communications. After graduation, the officer continued his service in the State Space Agency of Ukraine.

In 2012, he was appointed to the post at the National Space Facilities Control and Test center in Yevpatoria city.

In the course of his duties, he had a direct access to important information in defense and economic spheres, including up-to-date researches and development in the field of space exploration.

After Russian invasion in 2014, the officer took the enemy’s side and became Russian national. Later, he started to serve in Russian Aerospace Defense Forces.

SBU investigators and cyber specialists gathered sufficient evidence proving officer’s treason.

By order of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the traitor was stripped of his rank “lieutenant colonel”.

The operation was conducted by the SBU Office in Zhytomyr region under the legal supervision of Military Prosecutor’s Office of Zhytomyr Garrison.