The SSU is ensuring an integrated response to the hybrid warfare waged by Russia. The SSU operation in Kherson region has exposed a powerful bot farm working for Russian special services.

The offenders were engaged in information operations aimed to spin destabilizing narratives in Ukraine.

For this purpose, they created over 20,000 fake accounts in social media, forums, and popular messengers.

Anonymous profiles were used to disseminate disinformation about internal situation in our country. Members of the group also sent false bomb alerts to various infrastructure facilities in the region.

According to the investigation, several locals were involved in the organization of the bot farm with technological equipment installed at their homes. The offenders used special telecommunication devices to disguise their accounts.

Their handlers paid them through banned Russian payment systems.

The items seized in the searches include over 3,000 SIM cards and computer equipment with evidence of illegal activity.

Within criminal proceedings under Article 361 (unauthorized interference in the work of electronic computers, automated systems, computer or telecommunication networks), the investigators are preparing notices of suspicion. The court will decide on the measure of restraint.

The Cyber Security Unit of the SSU Office in Kherson region carried out the operation jointly with the National Police investigators under the supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.