The SSU has collected evidence of high treason committed by Yurii Kovalyov, a member of Kherson region council. He is currently a member of the occupation ‘state duma of Kherson region’ from putin’s united russia party and continues to support the armed aggression against Ukraine.

The suspect is the elder brother of the traitorous ex-MP Oleksiy Kovalyov, who, after Kherson’s occupation, publicly supported the ‘accession’ of the region to russia and became gauleiter Saldo’s ‘deputy on agriculture’.

Using his brother’s status, Yuriy Kovalyov ‘reoriented’ over 20 controlled companies in the region to the needs of the aggressor state by re-registering them under the russian law.

One of such entities is a local agricultural holding, which this year transported almost 35,000 tons of Ukrainian grain to russia for a total of UAH 140 mln (USD 3.7 mln).

The investigation also established that, on Yuriy Kovalyov’s instructions, his gas stations had provided fuel, off the line, to the russian military equipment, including enemy tanks and armoured vehicles.

The suspect’s companies also supplied food rations to the ruscists stationed at russian checkpoints.

In addition, the collaborator’s businesses regularly finance the aggressor’s budget by paying ‘taxes and fees’.

In August 2022 alone, one of his agricultural companies transferred almost RUB 3 mln for russia’s benefit.

Based on the evidence collected, Yuriy Kovalyov was notified of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

• 111.2 (high treason, committed under martial law);
• 111-1.5 (collaboration).

The traitor is on the temporarily occupied territory; efforts are ongoing to bring him to justice .

The investigation was carried out by the SSU Office in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.