SSU investigators submitted to court an indictment against two public and political figures, who were preparing a forceful change and an overthrow of constitutional order and seizure of state power in Ukraine.

The SSU Counterintelligence exposed the involved individuals in the early weeks of russia’s full-scale invasion.

It was established that the perpetrators acted in coordination with russians and members of the Ukrainian Choice NGO. In 2019, they had contact with the office of the then assistant to russian president, Vladislav Surkov.

According to the investigation, during the annexation of Crimea and russia’s military invasion in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the individuals in question closely cooperated with Viktor Medvedchuk’s political entities, discussing plans to create a union state of russia, belarus and Ukraine.

However, Medvedchuk did not provide the expected funding, and they began to act separately. A representative of russia with connections in special services and government promised to provide funds.

To overthrow the government by force, the group developed a plan to hold a ‘national assembly’.

Their like-minded people and members of NGOs subordinated to them were to gather in Kyiv and announce the removal of the President, dissolution of the Verkhovna Rada and the Government.

The budget for the ‘national assembly’ amounted to USD 9.7 million and included:

• rent of headquarters premises and halls in Kyiv and regions;
• expenses for 380 ‘delegates’ and their accompanying individuals;
• payment for protection and forceful actions with the participation of 1,356 citizens;
• expenses for office equipment, telephones, transport, communication and server;
• fees for services of mass media.

To ensure the force phase of the coup, one of the participants started recruiting people with military background. The accomplice of the rebels, who was exposed by the SSU on an attempt to recruit ‘security guards’ and who testified against the main participants, has already been convicted.

When the full-scale invasion began, the group had not received the full amount of the promised funding. The probable reason is embezzlement of funds allocated for subversive activities in Ukraine, which led to a number of high-profile resignations in the russian government and law enforcement agencies.

When fighting was going on near Kyiv, the rebels changed the coup plan and decided to create ‘people’s republics’ in the West of Ukraine. They were sure that the eastern, northern and southern parts of Ukraine would be quickly occupied.

During the searches after the arrest of the suspects, the SSU seized:

• estimates;
• lists of members of future illegal authorities and security institutions;
• manifestos to the public and security forces;
• lists of necessary weapons, property and equipment.

The suspects are accused of conspiracy to commit acts with the aim of forceful change of the constitutional order and seizing state power (Article 109.1 of the CCU).

Investigation is ongoing to bring other involved persons to justice.

The SSU Office in Ivano-Frankivsk region carried out the investigation in coordination with the SSU Counterintelligence Department. Procedural supervision is ensured by Ivano-Frankivsk Region Prosecutor’s Office.