In Odesa, the SSU Counterintelligence has detained another member of the terrorist organization ‘LNR’.

The offender is a local resident, an ideological supporter of the kremlin regime. During the riots in Odesa in early May 2014, he took an active part in provocations on russia’s side.

Then, to evade responsibility, he fled to the temporarily occupied part of Luhansk region and joined the militants.

There, the ‘new recruit’ was appointed commander of a reconnaissance unit of the russian-controlled group ‘Prizrak’, which was later subordinated to the command of russia’s 2nd army corps.

Since then, the scout with the call sign ‘Santa’ had been fighting against Ukrainian troops in the east of our country, including near the Bakhmut highway.

However, later the militant decided to leave his commanders and secretly went to the Ukraine-controlled territory and returned to Odesa. In the city, he tried to ‘lay low’ and evade prosecution.

During the searches of the suspect’s Odesa home, the SSU found photos with evidence of his membership in the terrorist ‘LNR’.

The SSU has served the offender a notice of suspicion under Article 258-3.1 of the CCU (participation in a terrorist group or terrorist organization).

The suspect is in custody, facing up to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The investigation is ongoing.

The SSU Odesa Office carried out the operation under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.