The SBU Security Service of Ukraine has detained a contracted soldier of one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donetsk region, who had previously sided with Russian-supported terrorists, the SBU`s press service told UNIAN.
The detainee had combat experience gained during the Soviet campaign in Afghanistan. In July 2014, under the influence of pro-Russian propaganda, he joined the ”DPR” terrorist organization.
”As an artilleryman, he took part in hostilities near the settlements of Snizhne, Dmytrivka and Ilovaisk until he was wounded in August of 2014. Following hospital treatment, the militant returned to his group. He was trained under the leadership of Russian military officials known by their codenames `Terek` and `Ural. He fought near Debaltseve,” the report says.
According to the intelligence service, in the spring of 2015, the terrorist allegedly got disillusioned with the ideas of ”Novorossia” and went to Russia, where his sister lived. In order to get to the Russian Federation, he used the identity card of the so-called ”DPR” militant organization, signed by terrorist Strelkov.
The SBU notes that due to a difficult financial situation, in the spring of 2016 the militant decided to return to Ukraine and went as far as joining the ranks of the Armed Forces. He was embedded with one of the units involved in the Anti-Terrorist Operation and was later detained by the Security Service of Ukraine.
Criminal proceedings were initiated under Part 1 Article 258-3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The detainee is notified of suspicion, the investigation is underway.
