The SSU is systemically fighting against the organized crime, which poses a threat to Ukraine’s state security amidst the ongoing war.

As a result of a special operation in Kremenchuk, the SSU dismantled a gang that terrorized local population and extorted debts from entrepreneurs, which they actually did not have.

The criminals were especially cruel and threatened to kill business owners and their families in case they refuse to pay. They also stole the victims’ property.

The investigation established that the crime ring had been coordinated by a notorious criminal ‘Moskva’ [Moscow].

‘Moskva’ had previously been prosecuted for serious crimes and was an ‘overseer’ in the colony where he served his sentence.

With his ‘consent’, members of the gang demanded money from owners of legal businesses and collected non-existent debts.

The SSU documented an episode when the suspects extorted a non-existent debt of USD 30,000 from a local entrepreneur.

Trying to force the victim to pay, they threatened the man and his family with physical violence and death.

Eventually, they forcibly took the victim’s wife’s car as a ‘payment’.

As a result of the operation, the SSU detained two members of the group.

During the searches at the suspects’ homes, the investigators found:

• a large amount of cash;
• 3 cars, including the one stolen from the victims;
• ‘ledger’ with ‘debt’ records and ‘IOU’ notes;
• weapons.

The apprehended gangsters have been notified of suspicion under Article 189.4 of the CCU (extortion, committed by a group of persons).

The investigation is ongoing to bring to justice those involved in the group’s activities, primarily its coordinator.

The suspects are facing up to 12 years in prison.

The SSU Poltava Office conducted the operation jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.