The SSU has neutralized a large criminal organization that operated in Kyiv, Zhytomyr and Kherson: the interregional network of clandestine gambling establishments was involved in covert financing of occupation authorities in the captured areas of southern Ukraine.

Every month, they channelled millions in hryvnia equivalent to the illegitimate authorities and their security forces.

According to the investigation, the group’s organizers illegally opened several casinos in Kherson shortly before the full-scale invasion.

During the temporary occupation, they continued to engage in illegal business.

The network also handed over part of the ‘profits’ in cash to the leadership of the former local occupation administration, headed by gauleiter Volodymyr Saldo.

In return for a regular ‘contribution’, the ruscists granted the dealers ‘preferences’ to engage in illegal business and move freely around Kherson.

After the city was liberated, the casino organizers moved to Zhytomyr, hoping to evade justice.

There, they decided to expand their ‘network’ and opened six additional gambling sites in the regional center and later in Kyiv.

The casinos were disguised as rented office space.

Dozens of people working for the clandestine business were engaged in its maintenance, setting up computer equipment and recruiting staff.

During nearly 40 searches in the casinos, offices and warehouses, as well as at the suspects’ homes and cars, the law enforcement found:

• daily revenue of almost a million in cash in hryvnia equivalent;
• over 230 data carriers with falsified software;
• network and server equipment;
• financial and accounting documents with evidence of the crime;
• draft records with the customer base.

Based on the collected evidence, SSU investigators notified six organizers of the criminal network of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

• 255 (creation, management of a criminal community or criminal organization, participation in it);
• 203-2 (unlawful activity to organize or conduct gambling and lotteries).

For three suspects, the court chose custody as a measure of restraint with an alternative to bail in the amount of UAH 1.5 and 1.1 mln, the rest are under house arrest.

The investigation is ongoing.

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