The SSU has collected evidence against six militants who fought against Ukraine. At the end of 2024, they were captured by the Defence Forces during the battles on Pokrovsk, Siversk and Toretsk directions.

One of them is a 32-year-old russian who guarded the kremlin’s ‘military correspondent’ Yevhen (Zakhar) Prilepin during his trips to the temporarily occupied part of Luhansk region.

According to the investigation, the militant joined the Zorya battalion of the terrorist organization ‘LNR’ before the start of the full-scale war. There, he was appointed a scout rifleman.

While in the terrorists’ ranks, he first fought against the Anti-Terrorist Operation forces, and from 24 February 2022 took part in the seizure of part of Luhansk oblast.

The other three are traitors from Luhansk region who, as part of the 88^th and the 2^nd ruscist motorized infantry brigades, captured Siverskodonetsk, Lysychansk and Rubizhne.

They were also building fortifications for the occupiers who stormed Bakhmut.

Later, they were sent to attack the villages of Bilohorivka and Verkhnekamianske, where were captured by Ukrainian units.

Another two militants are residents of the temporarily occupied part of Donetsk region. One of them was initially on duty at russian checkpoints in Horlivka, and after 24 February 2022 fought near Bakhmut and Pokrovsk.

The second joined the 123^rd separate motorized rifle brigade of the russian armed forces; he fired at Ukrainian positions near the villages of Pisky and Ozaryanivka as a machine gunner.

In December 2024, both traitors surrendered to the Defence Forces during the battles near Toretsk.

Based on the SSU’s investigations, five perpetrators were notified of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

• 111.1, 111.2 (high treason);
• 111-1.7 (collaboration).

The criminal activity of the russian citizen is qualified under two Articles of the CCU:

• 258-3.1 (participation in a terrorist organization);
• 110.2 (encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine).

The militants face 15 years in prison to life imprisonment.

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