Occupation official organized tricolor holidays in Kherson

The court found a Russian citizen who headed the "government of Kherson region" guilty of collaboration and justifying aggression. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for collaborating with the enemy and spreading propaganda.

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

According to the investigation, in July 2022, he agreed to head the so-called "government of the Kherson region" created by the occupiers. A few months later, he was also appointed "acting head of the military-civilian administration". Holding these positions, the collaborator not only followed the Kremlin's instructions, but also participated in political events together with Russian officials.

In particular, he helped to launch the propaganda TV channel Tavria, designed to broadcast Kremlin messages to residents of Kherson region. He also spoke at the celebration of the "Day of the Flag of the Russian Federation" in Kherson, where he publicly stated that the region "has returned to the bosom of Russia forever."

In 2022, the accused repeatedly appeared on the air of leading Russian media. In interviews, he justified the invasion, praised the Russian military and promoted narratives about the so-called "historical reunification" of Kherson region with Russia.

The prosecutor's office provided evidence to the court that the man's actions were not limited to formal office. He deliberately supported the occupation authorities, contributed to the consolidation of the Russian regime in the region and spread military propaganda.

The court found him guilty under Part 6 of Art. 111-1 (collaboration) and Part 3 of Art. 436-2 (justification of armed aggression of the Russian Federation) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. He was sentenced to up to 12 years in prison with possible confiscation of property for collaborating with the occupiers and publicly justifying the war.

According to the CJR, this is Sergey Eliseev, a resident of Moscow. In August 2022, he launched the Tavria propaganda TV and radio company in Kherson, created by the occupiers. One of the witnesses in court said that the Russian military forced him to provide sound equipment for propaganda events in the city.

The SBU also served a notice of suspicion in absentia to 29-year-old Daniil Chernykh, a correspondent for the Tavria propaganda channel. This media outlet was created in 2022 by the Russian administration on the basis of the seized branch of the Public Broadcasting Company. In August of the same year, Chernykh got a job there as a journalist and began filming stories justifying the Russian invasion and promoting the narratives of the occupation authorities.

Анна Бальчінос