The SSU has collected evidence on another 7 members of the terrorist organizations ‘L/DNR’, who fought against Ukraine.

The militants were captured by Ukrainian defenders in May 2023 near Avdiivka.

According to the investigation, they joined the occupation troops of russia’s Southern military district at different times.

Serving in russian units, the militants actively participated in assaults on Ukrainian settlements in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

One of the suspects had been a member of the terrorist group ‘Shum’ of the so-called ‘oblast cossack union of the don army’ since 2015.

After the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, he voluntarily enlisted to ‘Storm’, a newly created unit of the russian ministry of defence.

Two other perpetrators, who joined this occupation unit, are residents of Donetsk oblast. In 2014-2015, they took part in shelling positions of the ATO forces in eastern Ukraine.

Another two militants are from the terrorist group ‘Oplot’ and have fought against the Defence Forces near Avdiivka and Maryinka in Donetsk region, as well as near Mykolaivka in Luhansk region.

Two more detainees are a rifleman and a howitzer driver of the 11th separate motorized rifle regiment of russian armed forces (known as the ‘Vostok’ group).

These servicemen attacked Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka using russian artillery.

Based on the evidence collected, the SSU notified the captured militants of suspicion under Article 258-3.1 of the CCU (participation in a terrorist organization).

The criminal actions of one of the ‘Vostok’ members have been additionally qualified under Article 111.4 of the CCU - high treason.

The offenders are facing up to 15 years in prison.

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