The SSU exposed a network of call centers that operated for Russia’s State Duma. Apart from Russian parliament, a number of leading Russian TV channels and financial institutions, included in the sanctions lists of the NSDC of Ukraine, also used their services.  

According to the investigation, the three call centers in Cherkasy and Uman were set up by local businessmen. The SSU Cyber Security obtained evidence confirming that the aggressor state funded the network.

The call centers conducted opinion polls of Russian citizens and residents of the temporarily occupied  territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and Crimea regarding their participation in the September State Duma elections.

Operators collected information on:

• political preferences,
• party ratings,
• suggestions how to improve political situation.

In addition, the employees operated for the Russian Pension Fund, Russian TV channels NTV+, Rostelecom, banking institutions under sanctions: VTB, Gazprom Bank etc.

The organizers hired up to 200 operators working round the clock in two shifts.

The operation resulted in the seizures of:

• over 120 computers with Russian software;
• documents proving cooperation with the aggressor state;
• false accounting;
• manuals on customer service, secrecy methods in case of inspections, technical documentation with employees’ schedules.

Pre-trial investigation is on-going to bring to justice all those involved in the illegal activities.

The SSU carried out the operation jointly with the National Police investigators under the supervision of Uman District Prosecutor’s Office.