Based on the evidence collected by the SSU, the court convicted another 6 traitors who joined the russia’s occupation forces and fought against Ukraine. Among them are former prisoners and militants from russian ministry of defence’s assault units called Storm Z.

They were captured by Ukrainian defenders during fierce battles near Avdiivka and Bakhmut.

Following the SSU’s investigations, the court sentenced two of the individuals to 12 years in prison and four - to 15 years in prison.

Investigators established that at the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion, these men had joined the units of the Southern military district of the russian armed forces.

One of the convicts is a resident of Makiivka who joined the 113^th rifle regiment of the aggressor’s mobilization reserve. Serving there, he was engaged in equipping checkpoints and other fortifications in Nova Kakhovka, Kherson oblast.

Later, he was appointed a squad commander and was deployed to the eastern front to deter Ukraine’s counteroffensive.

Another two militants were enlisted as riflemen in the Storm Z battalion and took part in battles in Zaporizhzhia sector and later in Donetsk region.

The fourth perpetrator wrote an ‘application for pardon’ from the occupation ‘Toretsk correctional colony of the DNR’ and immediately ‘enlisted’ in the enemy’s Vostok unit.

Another ‘soldier’ joined the occupiers’ ranks and was appointed assistant grenade launcher. After training, he was sent to combat positions near Pisky village.

Another traitor signed a contract with russia’s MoD and joined the 114^th separate motorized rifle brigade of the russian army, which was involved in the assault on Ukrainian positions in Pokrovsk district, Donetsk region.

Based on the evidence, the court found the accused guilty under the following Articles of the CCU:

• 111.1, 111.2 (high treason committed under martial law);
• 111-1.7 (collaboration, voluntary participation of a Ukrainian citizen in illegal armed or paramilitary groups);
• 260.2 (participation in unlawful paramilitary or armed groups).

The investigation was carried out by SSU Offices in Poltava, Donetsk and Luhansk regions under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.