The SSU has collected evidence on another 9 traitors who voluntarily joined russian occupation groupings and fought against Ukraine’s Defence Forces on the eastern front.

As part of combat units of the Southern military district of the russian armed forces, they participated in the so-called ‘meat’ wave attacks on the AFU’s positions near Bakhmut and Lysychansk.

In late 2023, Ukrainian defenders took the perpetrators prisoner during fierce battles near Klishchiivka and Spirne villages.

Among the detained ‘soldiers’ are members of mortar crews and radio operators. There are also those who have been taken prisoner by Ukrainian defenders for the second time.

The investigation revealed that eight of them are from the temporarily occupied settlements of Luhansk oblast, and the ninth is a native of Crimea.

Most of them had been taking part in warfare against the Anti-Terrorist Operation forces long before the full-scale invasion.

One of the militants took part in the capture of Debaltseve back in 2015.

In late February 2022, the eight individuals from Luhansk region joined the 123^rd separate motorized rifle brigade of the aggressor’s 2^nd army corps.

Another detained ‘serviceman’ signed a contract with russia’s ministry of defence in the temporarily occupied Simferopol in September 2023.

After equipping firing positions along the eastern front line, they were deployed as part of ruscist assault groups to fire at the frontline positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

SSU investigators have notified the PoWs of suspicion under the Articles of the CCU:

• 111.1, 111.2 (high treason);
• 258-3.1 (participation in a terrorist group or terrorist organization);
• 260.2 (participation in unlawful paramilitary or armed groups).

The perpetrators 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.