Former businessman from Kherson region organized collection of humanitarian aid for occupants

The court convicted in absentia a collaborator from Kherson region who headed an illegal client service of the Russian pension fund in the occupied territory. In addition to performing his duties, the collaborator collected humanitarian aid for the Russian military.

This is evidenced by the verdict of the Vinnytsia City Court.

According to the investigation, the citizen of Ukraine deliberately stayed in the occupied territory during martial law and voluntarily went over to the enemy. He got a job in the so-called pseudo-state bodies of the occupation administration, contributing to the implementation of the aggressor state's policy and consolidation of the Russian occupation regime.

He was promoted to the position of acting head of the customer service of one of the illegal authorities. The collaborator supervised the work of his subordinates, distributed tasks, conducted training, coordinated the appointment and dismissal of employees, and organized interaction with enterprises and authorities. The man's activities lasted from the beginning of 2023.

Although the press service did not disclose the name of the convict, according to media reports, it is 39-year-old Serhiy Khvostov, a native of the village of Partizany, Henichesk district, Kherson region.

Before the full-scale invasion, Khvostov was engaged in private business and retail trade. According to local media reports, his pro-Russian sentiments were manifested in 2014, when he supported the idea of creating the "LPR" and "DNR".

After the occupation of Kherson region in 2022, Khvostov openly sided with the enemy. On social media, he disseminated materials discrediting the Armed Forces of Ukraine and organized the collection of humanitarian aid for the Russian military.

As part of the occupation administration, Khvostov first headed the client service of the Russian Revival Union in the Genichesk municipal district, and later the same department of the occupation "Department of the Russian Pension and Social Insurance Fund in the Kherson region."

The court, having considered the case in absentia, found him guilty of collaboration and sentenced him to 10 years in prison, confiscation of property and a 15-year ban on holding senior positions in state and local authorities after his release. The verdict has not yet entered into force, and the sentence will begin to be served from the moment of the defendant's actual detention.

At the end of October, the head of the occupation's Promsvyazbank was also sentenced in absentia to 12 years for cooperation with the Russians Mykyta Bazaliy from Kherson region. He involved locals in working for the enemy, and the court confiscated his property and banned him from holding public office for 15 years.

Анна Бальчінос