In Odessa, an SBU colonel justified Russia's aggression against Ukraine

An SBU colonel, who served in the security service for over 28 years, was sentenced for justifying Russian aggression. Law enforcement officials documented at least two such incidents during the officer’s conversations with other people. 

This was stated in the verdict of the Primorsky District Court of Odesa dated September 8, 2026.

According to the case file, Serhiy Skybenko had served in the SBU since June 30, 1998. At the time of the trial, he remained a reserve officer of the SBU and held the military rank of colonel.

According to the case materials, between 2014 and 2026, he developed anti-Ukrainian and pro-Russian views. Investigators claimed that he was dissatisfied with Ukraine’s government and supported ideas aimed at justifying Russian aggression.

The court established at least two incidents related to his statements. The first occurred on February 9, 2026. According to the investigation, during a conversation with a man at his residence, the colonel justified Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, which began in 2014. The second incident was recorded on March 1 during a conversation with a woman. This time, he denied that Russia was carrying out armed aggression specifically against Ukraine.

The officer’s actions were classified as justification and denial of Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine committed by a public official. Skibenko reached a plea agreement with the prosecutor and pleaded guilty. In addition, he voluntarily donated 200,000 hryvnias to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 

As a result, the judge approved the plea agreement and sentenced the colonel to five years in prison without confiscation of property. At the same time, he was granted a two-year suspended sentence. He was also ordered to pay 13,478 hryvnias in court costs.

Three residents of the Odesa region were also sentenced for passing information about Ukrainian military facilities to Russian intelligence services. Among them were a former servicemember who organized the group, an active-duty servicemember, and a woman.

Анна Літман