SBU exposes Russian Guard general involved in repression and abductions of Kherson residents

The Security Service of Ukraine has sentenced Russian General <b>Vladimir Spiridonov</b>, commander of the Ural District of the Russian Guard, to <b>15 years</b> in prison in absentia.

This was reported by the Security Service of Ukraine.

The investigation established that at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, it was Spiridonov who led the Russian Guard group that took part in the seizure of the Kherson region. After the occupation, he organized massive repressions against the local resistance movement.

Under his command, his subordinates forcibly dispersed peaceful protests, kidnapped activists and held them in prison. The court found the general guilty of crimes of aggression. Before the liberation of the right-bank part of Kherson region, he fled to Russia, where, despite his actions, he was promoted.

Earlier, SBU investigators found that 54-year-old Lieutenant General <b>Spiridonov</b>, commander of the Ural District of the Russian National Guard, a resident of Moscow, was involved in the occupation of Kherson region <b>.</b>

Thus, according to the SBU, from February to June 2022, <b>Spiridonov </b>was sent to command the auxiliary command post of the "South" troop group of the North Caucasus District, located in Kherson. He was subordinated to four tactical groups, the 12th separate special forces detachment and the operational group of the auxiliary command post of the troop group.

At the end of February 2022, Spiridonov's main task was to occupy Kherson. Later, as of May 10, 2022, the Russian Guard, led by Spiridonov, were engaged in reconnaissance and search operations in a 5-kilometer zone near the village of Nova Kamianka of the Milivska community of the Beryslav district of Kherson region, transported people illegally detained there to Beryslav and Nova Kakhovka, controlled local checkpoints, observation posts, and patrols.

A separate special forces unit controlled Snihurivka and the village of Brativka in Mykolaiv region.

Катерина Глушко