The SSU Counterintelligence continues to take measures to expose and prosecute members of illegal armed formations of the temporarily occupied territories. In an operation in Luhansk region, the SSU detained a former militant who fired at the positions of ATO forces from automatic grenade launcher AGS-17.

It was established that the individual underwent combat training under the guidance of Russian military instructors at a range near Lutuhyne in the terrorist-held territories.

According to the investigation, the detainee is a previously convicted native of Lysychansk. In January 2015, he voluntarily joined the illegal armed formations. There, the militant received Russian uniform and weapons.

After a course of fire training, he was appointed grenade launcher operator of one of the armed groups. His unit actively participated in hostilities against Ukrainian troops in the area of ​​Stanytsa Luhanska.

Later, the militant left the IAF due to a conflict with its leaders who abused their subordinates and extorted money from them. For a long time, he was hiding from justice.

The detainee has been notified of suspicion of crime under Article 260.2 (participation in unlawful armed groups) of the CCU.

The court is to choose a measure of restraint.

The SSU is verifying information on the suspect’s possible involvement in other serious and especially serious crimes.

The SSU Office in Donetsk and Luhansk carried out the operation together with the National Police under the supervision of Luhansk Regional Prosecutor’s Office.