In Kyiv region, the Security Service of Ukraine has dismantled another cell working for russian special services. As a result of the operation, the Service detained two professional PR specialists who carried out information subversion against Ukraine on russia’s orders.

The agency’s work was oriented mainly at the EU media space: material was prepared and disseminated to discredit Ukraine and justify russia’s aggression.

To do this, the PR specialists created over 200 websites that duplicated the official kremlin mouthpieces and were registered to fake accounts to avoid blocking.

Following orders from russia, the PR entity also conducted information campaigns in the EU states to justify top russian officials under sanctions.

Among other things, the clandestine agency was engaged in promoting the media images of two kremlin financiers:

• Igor Shuvalov, head of the russian state corporation Bank for development and foreign economic activity;
• Andrey Kostin, Chairman of the Board of the moscow-based VTB Bank.

Both bankers are members of putin’s inner circle and are involved in large-scale schemes to finance russia’s armed aggression.

According to the investigation, the PR firm fulfilled commercial orders from russia until 2022. After the full-scale war began, the company was contacted remotely by its former employer from russia who offered to cooperate.

Computer equipment and mobile phones with evidence of the crime were seized during searches.

SSU investigators notified the detained individuals of suspicion under Article 111.2 of the CCU – high treason, committed under martial law.

The suspects are in custody without bail and face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.

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