The SSU continues to expose and bring to justice members of IAFs active in the East of our country. In an operation in Stanytsa Luhanska, the SSU Counterintelligence detained a former deputy commander of a militant group.

The individual fled from his leaders to the government-controlled territory to obtain an ID-passport and receive pension.

According to the investigation, the detainee is a resident of Antratsyt district. In 2014, he voluntarily joined the IAF and was appointed deputy commander of a group of the so-called Cossack National Guard.

It was established that his unit actively participated in hostilities against the ATO forces in Krasnodon (now Sorokin) and Antratsyt districts, Luhansk region.

The militant left the ranks of the IAF following a conflict with his superiors, who paid their subordinates with food instead of money. For a long time, he was hiding in the temporarily occupied territory.

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

The court has chosen detention as a measure of restraint. The investigation is underway.

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