The SSU jointly with the National Police have neutralized a criminal group that terrorized residents of Ukraine’s western regions. The gang operated under the control of a notorious criminal, ‘overseer’ for Ivano-Frankivsk oblast.

The members of the crime ring intimidated locals, extorted money from them and stole their private property. To do this, they created artificial conflict situations or commercial disputes, and then extorted money for ‘a peaceful settlement’.

In case of refusal, the criminals threatened the victims and their families with violence and murder, ‘confiscation’ of cars and real estate.

During one racketeering raid, the gang could extort from UAH 10,000 to 500,000.

The criminals tried to impose ‘tributes’ on local entrepreneurs and were widening their influence to neighbouring regions.

With the full-scale war, they began to pose as military or law enforcement officers participating in combat. They threatened the victims that ‘they would take them to the frontline and would steal their salaries to pay off the debt’. However, the gang members themselves obtained certificates of unfitness for military service for health reasons to evade mobilization.

In the course of the investigation, the SSU documented the suspects extort UAH 150,000 from a businessman. On multiple occasions, they threatened to beat the man with hammers, hit him on the head with pipes, break his legs if he did not pay the ‘debt’.

The law enforcement detained two active members of the criminal group after they received the payment from the victim.

During the searches of the suspects’ homes and vehicles, the investigators seized firearms, brass knuckles and cash – the proceeds of crime.

The two detained individuals have been notified of suspicion under Article 189.4 of the CCU (extortion committed by a group upon prior conspiracy, under martial law).

The suspects are in custody, facing up to 12 years in prison.

The SSU Office in Ivano-Frankivsk region conducted the operation jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.