Russian Citizen Faces Trial for Leading Kherson Occupation Government

A Russian citizen will be tried for collaboration and propaganda of Russian aggression in Kherson region. He headed the occupation government, spread false information and called for the integration of the Kherson region into Russia.

This was reported by the press service of the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office.

Law enforcement officers sent to court an indictment against a Russian citizen, former mayor of Krasnodar, on the facts of collaboration and justification of the temporary occupation of the territory of Ukraine under Part 6 of Article 111-1, Part 3 of Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The investigation established that in early March 2023, the accused was appointed the so-called "head of the government of Kherson region" - the occupying authority. His responsibilities included organizing the work and appointing "deputy ministers" and managers to the occupation authorities.

The man signed documents that regulated the activities of the pseudo-government, monitored the implementation of resolutions and orders, and held meetings of the "government".

To promote the activities of the body he headed, the accused gave interviews to Russian-controlled media, where he spoke about the measures necessary for the integration of Kherson region into Russia. In his telegram channel, he disseminated false information about the aggressor's "achievements" in the economic and humanitarian spheres, systematically criticizing the legitimate Ukrainian authorities.

Since April 2023, the accused has been under Ukrainian sanctions. He is also included in the sanctions lists of the United States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland for his participation in Russian operations and aggression against Ukraine, as well as for the illegal management of the occupied Ukrainian territories in favor of the Russian Federation.

Two residents of Kherson are also suspected of collaborating with the occupiers during the fake referendum in 2022. They actively participated in the work of illegal election commissions and were suspected of collaboration in absentia.

In addition, Kherson police investigators have recently served a suspicion on a Russian police officer involved in the imprisonment and death of a civilian. This police officer participated in the operations of the occupation forces, taking civilians to torture chambers where they were tortured.

Анна Бальчінос