In Poltava and Zakarpattia regions, the SSU and the National Police have dismantled two bot farms that were working for the russian intelligence.

As a result of the operations, the organizers of the enemy cells were exposed. They are two IT specialists who sold fake accounts to russia. The russian intelligence services then used them to conduct information subversion against Ukraine.

The ruscists used accounts ‘registered’ in Ukraine to spread disinformation about the socio-political situation in our country, supposedly on behalf of Ukrainian citizens.

The enemy also used the fake accounts to spread discrediting messages about the Defence Forces and the situation at the front.

In Poltava region:

The law enforcement agencies have identified a local resident who created almost 15,000 anonymous accounts in various social networks and messengers on russian orders.

He tried to sell the accounts in the Darknet at the price of USD 1.5 per an account.

According to the investigation, the bot farm with the equipment and SIM cards of Ukrainian operators was located in the perpetrator’s apartment.

In Zakarpattia region:

A channel for clandestine sale of unique IP addresses registered in the region to russia has been shut down. Such IP addresses allowed russian users to impersonate Ukrainians on the Internet.

The organizer received money through russian payment systems in cryptocurrency.

Both organizers have been notified of suspicion under Article 361.2 of the CCU (unauthorized interference with the operation of information (automated), electronic communication, information and communication systems, electronic communication networks, committed by a group).

The investigation is ongoing. The suspects face up to 5 years in prison.

The operations were carried out by the SSU Offices in Poltava and Zakarpattia regions jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of prosecutor’s offices.