The SSU is systemically fighting against organized crime that poses a threat to Ukraine’s state security.

As a result of a special operation in Lviv oblast, the SSU neutralized a crime ring and its ‘boss’ who terrorized and intimidated local population.

The criminals were extorting money for non-existent debts or through artificially created conflicts.

If victims refused to pay the ‘tribute’, the gangsters threatened them with violence.

Among the citizens from whom the crime ring tried to extort ‘payments’ were those who had just been mobilized to the Ukrainian army.

The SSU documented the criminals demand from a military serviceman to pay them USD 2,000 monthly for a non-existent ‘debt’.

The SSU detained the leader of the criminal group on receiving a part of the ‘tribute’ - UAH 40,000.

The crime lord used the money to fill the criminal ‘coffers’ controlled by ‘thieves in law’.

During the search of his apartment, the SSU found USD 350,000, which may belong to the so-called ‘common fund’.

SSU investigators served the detained offender a notice of suspicion under Article 189.4 of the CCU (extortion, under martial law).

The court chose custody without bail as a measure of restraint for the suspect.

Comprehensive efforts to bring to justice other members of the criminal group are underway. The suspects are facing up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Lviv Office under the supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.