Terrorist who spied in Odesa region sentenced in Chernivtsi

The Shevchenkivskyi District Court in Chernivtsi convicted a native of Donetsk region of high treason and creation of a terrorist group.

According to the court' s verdict, the accused joined the DNR terrorist organization in May 2020, held the position of an operative of the Horlivka City Department of the DNR Ministry of State Security and assisted in subversive activities against Ukraine.

From December 2023 to May 2025, while in the temporarily occupied territory, he acted as an agent of the Russian Federal Security Service, organizing the collection of detailed military and intelligence information in Odesa region through an accomplice.

The court examined numerous pieces of evidence, including correspondence, audio recordings, and mobile device data, confirming the transmission and receipt of classified information. The verdict fully proved the convict's guilt of participation in a terrorist organization and high treason.

The defendant was sentenced to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property, except for housing. Earlier, the Peresypskyi District Court of Odesa found a local resident guilty of high treason and sentenced him to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The man told the court that he did not support Russian aggression against Ukraine, considered himself a patriot of his city and was completely innocent. He did tell the witness about his desire to do something, but he believes that saying it does not mean doing it. Therefore, he asked to be acquitted.

The court was critical of the accused's claims that he was introduced to the applicant by some other man whose name he mentioned. The case file does not confirm the involvement of this person. This person is never mentioned in the NISS records. In addition, this contradicts the testimony of the applicant, who said that the first meeting and acquaintance with the accused was accidental and not planned.

Кирило Бойко