The SBU documents new attempts of the so-called LNR Ministry of State Security (“MGB LNR”) to recruit Ukrainian officials and citizens to the detriment of the Ukrainian national security.  

The SBU CI established that in late March a representative of “MGB LNR” contacted an official of the Pension Fund Office in Luhansk region via messenger.

He was interested in the personal data of residents of Luhansk region, especially information about the former employees of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies. The representative offered a financial “reward” to a woman for providing such information.

The official refused to cooperate with militants and contacted the SBU. She told in detail about all the circumstances of her inclination to illegal activity.

The SBU CI also uncovered an attempt of “MGB LNR” to recruit a resident of the settlement controlled by Ukrainian authorities in Luhansk region.

According to intelligence, a man periodically went to the temporarily occupied Luhansk on personal matters. During another trip, he was detained by militants under fictitious pretext. They threatened with imprisonment and tried to force a man to cooperate with “MGB LNR”.

Curators planned that the man would collect information about military units deployed in Luhansk region. They expected to receive such information via electronic communication devices or during personal meetings on the temporarily occupied territory.

The man drew attention of the SBU CI. After coming home, he told the SBU about recruitment and the assigned tasks.

The SBU reminds that in accordance with Art. 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine high treason shall be punishable by imprisonment for up to 15 years.

At the same time, citizens of Ukraine who have not taken any action to fulfill the criminal task of a foreign state, foreign organization or their representatives and voluntarily informed law enforcement officers about contact with them and about the assigned task are released from criminal liability.