The SSU Counterintelligence detained a former ‘DNR’ militant who wanted to be called up for military service to a combat airborne assault unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The pre-trial investigation established that the suspect was a native of Donetsk region. In 2019, he took an oath of allegiance to the so-called ‘DNR’ and for a year served in one of illegal armed groups of this terrorist organization.

Later, he went to Russia and from there came to Ukraine-controlled territory. In late 2021, he voluntarily applied to local military enlistment office to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

He was going to train in one of the units of airborne assault troops near Zhytomyr. However, due to proactive work of the SSU, he was exposed.

The suspect has been detained.

The SSU investigators notified him of suspicion under Article 258-3.1 (participation in a terrorist group or terrorist organization) and Article 260.2 (participation in an unlawful armed group) of the CCU.

The investigators are establishing his real reason to serve in Ukrainian army. Among other things, we are verifying the ex-militant’s links to pseudo-special services of the so-called DNR.

The Counterintelligence and Investigative units of the SSU Office in Zhytomyr region carried out the operation under procedural supervision of Zhytomyr Specialized Military Prosecutor’s Office of the Central Region.