22 January 2025
(Photo: Ukrinform)
The court sentenced a resident of Chornobaivka, Kherson region, who organized a fake referendum. She was sentenced to 6 years in prison with confiscation of property
According to the SBU, the 37-year-old woman supported the invaders during the occupation of the village. She helped organize a fake referendum in the fall of 2022, following the instructions of the Russian occupiers.
She was appointed as a member of the so-called "election committee", allowing her to move freely in the area. Together with the armed military, the woman went to the homes of local residents, intimidated them and forced them to "vote" for Russia.
After the liberation of the right-bank part of Kherson region, the woman went into hiding, but SBU officers found and detained her.
The court found her guilty of collaboration under Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The investigation was conducted by SBU officers in Kherson and Vinnytsia regions under the supervision of the regional prosecutor's office.
Chornobaivka is located near Kherson, close to important transportation routes, including Kherson Airport. This made it a key point in the hostilities. During the occupation, Russian troops used Chornobaivka as a base for their equipment, command posts and logistics. The Ukrainian military launched more than 20 powerful strikes against it, destroying enemy ammunition depots, equipment and personnel. Chornobaivka became a symbol of the inept command of the Russian army.
During the occupation, the village experienced a humanitarian crisis. People faced a lack of food, medicine and access to information. Russian troops conducted repressions, including searches, interrogations and intimidation. The occupiers tried to create the appearance of "legitimacy" for their actions by organizing pseudo-referendums in which locals were forced to participate under threat.
In November 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated the right-bank part of the Kherson region, including Chornobaivka. <span>After the liberation, significant infrastructure damage was discovered in the village. </span>
Earlier, the court sentenced a resident of Chornobaivka who organized a base for Russian military equipment and helped resettle Russians during the occupation of Kherson region. The man was found guilty of aiding the aggressor state
Ірина Глухова