The SSU has collected evidence on another three traitors who fought against Ukraine’s Defence Forces on the eastern front.

The perpetrators were members of the occupation units of russia’s Southern military district and took part in numerous assaults on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donetsk region.

In late April 2024, Ukrainian defenders took them prisoner during fighting near the villages of Berestove and Staromayorske.

One of them is a resident of the temporarily occupied Crimea. Since 2014, he had been fighting against the Anti-Terrorist Operation Forces near Savur-Mohyla.

At the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion, the traitor was ‘serving’ in the occupation grouping that captured the left bank of Kherson oblast.

At that time, he was firing an AGS-17 grenade launcher at Ukrainian positions near Nova Kakhovka.

He was later appointed a squad commander and transferred to Donetsk region to storm Ukrainian defensive lines near Staromayorske.

Two other militants are residents of the temporarily occupied part of Luhansk region. One of them fought against Ukrainian defenders even before the full-scale invasion.

In 2023, both defendants joined the 123^rd separate motorized rifle brigade of the russian army.

They took part in the seizure of settlements in Luhansk region and attacked the AFU positions on Siversk direction.

The SSU has now served the militants notices of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

• 111.1, 111.2 (high treason);
• 111-1.7 (voluntary participation of a citizen of Ukraine in illegal armed or paramilitary groups created in the temporarily occupied territory and/or in the armed forces of the aggressor state).

The suspects face life imprisonment.

The investigation was carried out by the SSU Office in Donetsk and Luhansk regions under the procedural supervision of Donetsk Region Prosecutor’s Office.