Jan. 17, 2026, 7:17 p.m.
The Security Service of Ukraine in Mykolaiv region served a notice of suspicion to a citizen of Ukraine who voluntarily defected to the enemy and served in the Russian Armed Forces. He was put on the wanted list for participation in the occupation of the territories and execution of orders of the Russian command.
This is evidenced by the decision of the Central District Court of Mykolaiv.
According to the pre-trial investigation, in August 2023, the man signed a contract for military service in the army of the aggressor country on his own initiative. He was sent to a separate marine brigade of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Federation, where he held the position of driver with the rank of private.
The investigation established that while serving in this unit, the suspect participated in the occupation and defense of the occupied territories of Ukraine, carried out orders from the Russian command and was engaged in logistics support of the Russian Armed Forces units. Law enforcement officers believe that in this way he deliberately violated his constitutional duty to defend Ukraine, actually siding with the enemy.
The man's actions were classified as high treason and voluntary participation in the armed forces of the aggressor state. He is charged under Part 2 of Article 111 and Part 7 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The notice of suspicion was drawn up in September 2025. However, it was not possible to serve it in person, as the suspect's whereabouts were not established. According to the SBU operational units, he is hiding in the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson region, in Skadovsk district.
The investigator put the man on the wanted list due to his failure to appear at summonses and staying in the occupied territory. The court, having considered the investigation's motion, imposed a preventive measure in the form of detention on him. The decision was made in absentia.
After the suspect is detained and brought to the place of proceedings, the court must reconsider the issue of a preventive measure with his participation. The sanctions of the charged articles provide for a sentence of 15 years or up to life imprisonment with confiscation of property. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
In early January, a court in Mykolaiv sentenced a man who collaborated with Russian special services and passed on data to adjust strikes on the city. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property for treason.
According to the court, the convict systematically passed to a representative of the Russian FSB information about the locations and movements of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the activities of defense industry enterprises, the consequences of attacks, as well as data on the availability and repair of military equipment, including drones and armored vehicles.
Анна Бальчінос