SBU completes investigation into Crimean propagandist

The Security Service of Ukraine has completed a pre-trial investigation into a Crimean propagandist who justified Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine and spread anti-Ukrainian propaganda. The indictment has already been sent to court.

This was reported by the press service of the SBU Main Directorate in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

According to the investigation, the defendant, who positioned himself as a "political expert", also conducts information and subversive activities in the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea. In his speeches and publications, he supports Russia's war against Ukraine, calls for the seizure of the entire territory of the state and tries to discredit the Defense Forces.

Law enforcers found that the propagandist systematically spread pro-Russian narratives in his own posts on social media and appeared on TV channels broadcasting propaganda of the aggressor country. In particular, he called the war against Ukraine "demilitarization" and justified the war crimes of the Russian army, including missile attacks on civilian infrastructure.

According to the investigation, the man sided with Russia in 2014 after the occupation of Crimea. In his publications, he supported the seizure of the peninsula and advocated the "integration" of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine into Russia. In addition, in 2014-2020, he cooperated with the occupation administration and was a member of the so-called "Public Chamber of the Republic of Crimea".

The SBU-initiated examinations confirmed the facts of spreading propaganda and other illegal activities of the suspect.

He is charged with encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine, collaboration, as well as justifying and denying Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.

The suspect is currently in the temporarily occupied territory. Law enforcement officers are taking measures to bring him to justice for crimes against Ukraine.

In early March, the court sentenced Crimean collaborator Oleg Kryuchkov. The producer, who has been working for the Russian occupation administration since 2014, was found guilty of war propaganda and collaboration. The court's decision in absentia is based on evidence of Kryuchkov's participation in information support of the temporary occupation of the peninsula and justification of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Анна Бальчінос