Under the procedural supervision of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, indictments against eight Ukrainian citizens were submitted to court. They are charged with high treason, participation in a terrorist organisation and activities of armed groups not provided for by law (Articles 111(1) and (2), 258-3(1), 260(2) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The investigation has established that residents of Donetsk and Luhansk regions voluntarily sided with the enemy during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. They joined the illegal armed formations of the “people’s militia” of the “dpr” and “lpr” terrorist organisations.
The men received weapons and ammunition, underwent military training, mastered the tactics of combat, assault, advance and retreat.
Subsequently, they performed combat missions in units of the Russian armed forces against Ukraine, both directly and by issuing orders to subordinate servicemen. In particular, as deputy chief of staff of a battalion, commander of an anti-tank unit – grenade launcher of an anti-tank platoon, sniper, radio operator, grenade launcher, grenade launcher, rifleman and private of a machine gun unit.
The defendants also ensured the security of the occupying army’s locations, guarded ammunition depots, and loaded and unloaded ammunition. In addition, they were responsible for the access control at checkpoints, inspected cars and documents of civilians.
The men fought in settlements in Donetsk, Kherson, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The special pre-trial investigation was conducted by investigators of the SBU Office in Lviv region.
Note: In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and shall not be subjected to criminal punishment until his or her guilt is proved in accordance with the law and established by a court verdict of guilty.
Information Policy Department
of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office