The SSU Main Directorate for Internal Security has neutralized an organized criminal group that terrorized citizens and committed robberies in Kharkiv.

Posing as officers of the Security Service of Ukraine, the armed criminals broke into local homes and stole people’s property under the pretext of bogus ‘searches’.

The investigation documented that in early July this year the gang had robbed an apartment of a Kharkiv couple and stole gold jewellery worth over USD 20,000.

Later, the crime boss demanded another USD 5,000 from the victim, supposedly to ‘close the criminal proceeding’ against him.

In case the man failed to pay, the offender threatened with violence against his family.

The SSU detained the gang leader ‘red-handed’ when he received the entire amount of the extorted ‘tribute’.

According to the investigation, the main suspect is a 33-year-old local resident with multiple previous convictions for serious crimes.

During the search, the investigators seized his uniform with SSU insignia and a TT combat pistol with ammunition.

Based on the collected evidence, the detained individual was served a notice of suspicion under Article 189.4 of the CCU (extortion committed under martial law).

The suspect is in custody, facing up to 12 years in prison

The investigation is ongoing to bring all members of the gang to justice.

The operation was carried out jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Specialized Defence Prosecutor’s Office in the Eastern Region.