SBU Cyber specialists blocked the activity of a troll farm in the city of Cherkasy. The Internet agitators used the equipment in the interests of the hybrid aggression of Russia against our state.

The SBU found out that the troll farm was "supported" by a Cherkasy resident in a utility room of his own private enterprise. To guarantee the security of the Internet agitators, he used anonymous IP addresses.

The businessman used SIM cards of Ukrainian mobile operators and received payment for the “services” in cryptocurrency and through Russian virtual payment systems, prohibited by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

The SBU investigators documented that the Internet agitators disseminated misinformation about the events in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, pro-Russian propaganda aimed at artificially destabilizing the situation in Ukraine, overthrowing the constitutional order and territorial integrity of our state.

During the search, the law enforcement officers seized:

• computer equipment with specialized software installed;
• telecommunication equipment;
• more than 400 SIM cards of mobile operators.

The criminal proceedings were initiated upon actions aimed at forcible change or overthrow of the constitutional order or seizure of state power. The investigation is ongoing to identify and prosecute other persons involved in the illegal activity.

The operation was carried out by the SBU Office in Cherkasy region jointly with the SBU Cybersecurity Department under the supervision of the Cherkasy Region Prosecutor's Office.