The Security Service of Ukraine has detained two bloggers who spread information in social networks on locations of combat positions and movements of Ukraine’s Defence Forces.

One of the suspects lives in Zaporizhzhia and administers his Telegram channel with an audience of almost 140,000 subscribers.

To promote the channel, the man published a video showing the location of the AFU firing position in Kupiansk district, Kharkiv region.

Another video he posted showed Ukrainian defence lines near Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia region.

In addition, the blogger uploaded a broadcast of the movement of armoured vehicles and artillery systems in one of the regions of Ukraine.

The SSU detained the suspect ‘red-handed’ when he was about to upload a new portion of similar content.

Due to the SSU’s rapid response, action was taken to protect the locations of Ukrainian defenders.

The second perpetrator is a resident of Vinnytsia region. He filmed the flight of an AFU combat helicopter and posted the video with the geolocation data on Facebook.

The man then tried to spin the video in local Telegram channels in order to promote his page.

The SSU identified the suspect in time and prevented the spread of prohibited content.

Based on the collected evidence, the investigators have served the detainees notices of suspicion under Article 114-2.1, 114-2.2 of the CCU (unauthorized dissemination of information on transfer of weapons to Ukraine, movement or location of the AFU, if they can be identified on the ground).

The investigation is ongoing. The suspects face up to 8 years in prison.

The SSU reiterates the ban on filming and publishing videos and photos of the activities of the Defence Forces and consequences of enemy strikes.

Publication of such photos and videos on the Internet is considered adjustment of enemy fire and is a crime punishable by law.

The operations were carried out by the SSU Offices in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Vinnytsia regions under the procedural supervision of regional prosecutors.