The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced the uncovering and detention of five pro-Russian internet agitators who actively spread disinformation and pro-Russian myths among Ukrainian online communities

Chas Pravdy - 21 April 2025 16:11

Among those detained is a former member of the banned "Nashi" party and a former Member of Parliament associated with Yevhen Muraiev, which caused a significant resonance within law enforcement circles and society as a whole. According to official information from the SBU press service, one of the detainees is a 58-year-old man born in Kyiv region, identified by investigators as Oleksandr Rudić. This individual was responsible for managing one of the pro-Russian groups on the social media platform Facebook, which actively promoted the banned party and pro-Russian rhetoric. To carry out his covert activities, he regularly published fake news aimed at discrediting the Ukrainian Armed Forces and distorting the situation at the front, as well as praising Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to investigations, this anti-Ukrainian propaganda reached an audience of approximately 27,000 users, making it quite influential within Russian information networks. Additionally, among those detained is an employee of a factory in Kyiv region who openly promoted the occupiers' position during conversations with colleagues, justifying Russia's aggression against Ukraine. He is suspected of engaging in anti-state agitation through colleagues and using the workplace environment to spread pro-Russian messages. A separate case involves the detention of a resident of Bohorodchany in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, who, on the popular social network Odnoklassniki (Classmates), posted messages heroizing Russian soldiers and justifying the temporary occupation of Ukrainian territories. She perceives Russia's aggression as justified and supports the actions of pro-Russian forces, inciting treason and expressing her views through a personal blog. An equally important element of the operation was the detention of a driver for a trading company, whose colleague provoked discussions during work trips, justifying Kremlin's crimes and depreciating Ukrainian statehood. His actions also attracted the attention of investigators because such conversations could significantly influence the morale of employees and potentially promote pro-Russian ideas among the broader public. The SBU conducted comprehensive forensic linguistic examinations confirming the facts of the informational sabotage activities of the detainees. As part of the criminal proceedings, the suspects have been charged under parts 2 and 3 of Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — justification, acknowledgment of legality, or denial of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine. These crimes carry serious criminal penalties and represent an important step in the systematic fight by law enforcement agencies against informational and ideological sabotage carried out in favor of the enemy. The detection and detention of such individuals serve as a strong signal from Ukrainian law enforcement about their unwavering stance in combating pro-Russian propaganda and disinformation aimed at undermining national security and sovereignty. The operational actions of the SBU are up to date, demonstrating resistance against the large-scale information aggression Russia is waging against Ukraine as part of hybrid warfare.

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