The SBU blocked illicit passenger traffic from the separate districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (ORDLO) to Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions and back. Allegedly, part of the unlawfully obtained money were paid to finance illegal armed groups.

In order to transport passengers, the offenders used a "route" through the territory of Russia and temporarily uncontrolled areas of the state border.

According to findings, the scam was organized by a resident of the town of Makiivka, Donetsk region. He used two his own minibuses for illegal transportation. The offenders made up to five trips a month.

As a result of an investigation, law enforcement officers exposed vehicles, used in the scam, at the Hoptivka checkpoint. One of the offenders was detained and served with a suspicion notice.

The pre-trial investigation into participation in the activities of a terrorist group is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the offense and prosecute involved individuals.

The operation was conducted by the SBU Office in Dnipropetrovsk region together with the State Border Guard Service and under the supervision of the Dnipropetrovsk region Prosecutor's Office.