'DPR' fighter planning to flee to EU detained in Volyn region
According to Ukrinform, the SBU reported that the fighter was detained at a hotel in Kovel, Volyn region, where he was planning to travel to the European Union.
The detained individual is a resident of Donetsk. It was established that he joined the armed group of the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR") in 2015 and participated in the battles for Donetsk Airport, where he was injured. As a result, he was "discharged" from the group.
At the end of October this year, the fighter left for western Ukraine under the guise of a displaced person, intending to obtain a Ukrainian passport.
The SBU had tracked the whereabouts of the criminal in advance and arrested him as he was preparing to escape.
Law enforcement is investigating the possibility of the detainee's connection with Russian intelligence services, who may have planned his "assignment" for subversive activities within the European Union.
A search was conducted in the detained man's hotel room, where Russian and "DPR" passports, a military ID, and insignia of Russian armed formations were found.
The detainee has been charged with two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Part 1 of Article 111 (treason committed under martial law) and Part 2 of Article 260 (participation in the activities of illegal armed formations).
The suspect remains in custody without the right to put up bail. He faces up to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property.
Photo credit: SBU
