The SSU cyber units jointly with the ESBU have blocked a channel that enabled money circulation between russia and Ukraine, using cryptocurrency technologies and banned russian payment systems.

A network of clandestine conversion centres has been shut down in 4 oblasts, each handling over USD 1 mln per month.

The dealers used sanctioned russian money transfer systems, e.g. Yumoney and Webmoney, and cryptocurrencies.

They provided services of withdrawing russian ruble from russia by converting it into cryptocurrency and cashing it into Hryvnia.

Their main clients were hackers and commercial entities that carried out shadow commodity exchange and financial transactions with the aggressor state.

Cryptocurrency was cashed in the clandestine conversion centres, which operated as currency exchange offices in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Rivne and Sumy.

During the searches at the suspects’ homes and offices, the SSU found:

• almost UAH 60 mln (USD 1.5 mln);
• equipment used in the illegal activity.

One of the persons involved has been served a notice of suspicion under Article 200 of the CCU (unlawful actions with transfer documents, payment cards and other means of access to bank accounts, electronic money, equipment for their production).

The investigation is underway.

The SSU carried out the operation under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.