The SSU continues to expose and prosecute individuals involved in the Russian hybrid war against our state. Within a pre-trial investigation, the SSU investigators notified the head of the Russian PMC Wagner of suspicion in absentia.

The suspect is involved in trespassing against territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine, as well as waging an aggressive war.

The individual is a Russian citizen who headed the PMC to carry out Russian covert military operations.

The investigation established that in the period from July 2014 to March 2015 he was on the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and acted upon prior agreement with high-ranking officials of the Russian Armed Forces and under their control.

The individual commanded the units of the PMC Wagner, which, together with the regular units of the Russian Armed Forces and IAFs, fought against the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The SSU documented the fact of intensive shelling of Ukrainian positions near Debaltseve by Wagner militants. According to the data examined, the PMC units suffered heavy losses in this battle due to the repel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to the investigation, while in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the head of PMC coordinated his actions with the former commander of the 2nd Russian Army Corps.

Based on the evidence collected, the individual is suspected of crimes under:

• Article 110.3 (trespass against territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine),
• Article 27.5, Article 28.2, Article 437.2 (assistance in waging an aggressive war) of the CCU.

The pre-trial investigation is underway. The decision is pending on declaring the suspect internationally wanted to be prosecuted for crimes against Ukraine’s state security.

The SSU Main Investigative Directorate is investigating the case under the supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.