In Odesa the SSU Counterintelligence detained a traitor who had been hiding from justice for a long time for crimes against Ukraine.

The offender has been identified as a former member of the russian-controlled illegal armed group, the so called self-defense of Crimea.

As a member of the group, in 2014 he assisted the russian occupiers in seizing administrative buildings in Crimea, in particular in the city of Sudak.

Moreover, the offender patrolled the streets, served at checkpoints, and secured pro-kremlin rallies organized by russian special services.

During such activities, the traitor illegally searched local residents and their cars. After that, people were often detained and moved to unknown places.

In addition, the militant took part in the guarding of the "territorial election commissions" created by the aggressor state, which were involved in the fake referendum on the annexation of the Crimean peninsula.

As a result, the offender received a kremlin medal "for the defense of Crimea" in 2014.

Before the full-scale invasion, the militant moved to Vinnytsia region, where his relatives lived, under the guise of an internally displaced person from southern Ukraine. According to findings, the offender decided to leave as a result of a conflict with the group's leaders.

Later, he moved to Odesa to avoid justice for his crimes.

In the course of counter-subversive measures, SBU officers established his whereabouts and detained him at his place of temporary residence.

The search revealed evidence of his criminal activity, including a medal "for the defense of Crimea".

Based on the evidence collected, the detainee was notified of suspicion under Article 111-1 (high treason), Article 110-2 (encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine), Article 260-2 of the CCU (participation in an illegal armed group).

The suspect is in custody, facing up to 15 years in prison. The investigation is ongoing.

The operation was carried out jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Crimean Prosecutor’s Office.