The SSU continues to expose and bring to justice individuals involved in crimes against state security in Eastern Ukraine.

Since the start of 2022, the SSU investigators have notified 35 organizers of the 2014 unconstitutional referendum in Donetsk and Luhansk regions as well as representatives of occupation authorities.

According to the investigation, these individuals organized and facilitated a pseudo-referendum in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The suspects include members of several city and district councils, who defected to the occupiers.

As members of illegal ‘precinct election commissions’, they prepared voter lists and collected signatures to legitimize the representatives of illegal armed formations.

A number of IAFs members are suspected of crimes against the foundations of Ukraine’s national security, creation of unlawful armed groups and violations of laws and customs of war.

In particular, the suspects include militants and representatives of occupation authorities:

• ‘LNR deputy prosecutor general’,
• ‘chief of Stakhaniv interdistrict unit of LNR Ministry of State Security’,
• ‘operative of Alchevsk interdistrict unit of LNR Ministry of State Security’,
• ‘first deputy chief of Makeyevka City Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’,
• ‘deputy director of Department for Combating Smuggling and Violation of Customs Rules - Head of Operational Department of LNR State Customs Committee’,
• ‘head of unit of Citizenship and Cooperation of Migration Service of DNR Ministry of Internal Affairs’ and other individuals.

So far, they have been notified of suspicion of crimes under Article 110 (trespass against territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine), Article 258-3 (creation of a terrorist group or terrorist organization), Article 260 (creation of unlawful paramilitary or armed formations) and Article 438 (violation of laws and customs of war) of the CCU.

The investigations are underway to establish all the circumstances of illegal activity and bring to justice those involved.

Activities to document and expose the offenders were carried out by the SSU Office in Donetsk and Luhansk regions under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office.