Ex-commander of Luhansk militants detained in Odesa: he returned and "laid low"

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) in Odesa have detained a former company commander of a battalion of Luhansk militants who had left for Ukraine-controlled territory and wanted to "lie low".

Source: Press service of the Odesa Oblast Prosecutor's Office, press service of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU)

Details: The SSU reports that the detained Odesa resident is a supporter of the Kremlin regime. During the mass riots in Odesa in early May 2014, he "took an active part in provocations in favour of the Russian Federation".

Then, in order to avoid responsibility for his crimes, he fled to the temporarily occupied part of Luhansk Oblast, where he joined the ranks of militants.

There, he was appointed commander of the intelligence unit of the Russian-controlled Prizrak ("Ghost") group, which was later subordinated to the command of the 2nd Army Corps of Russia.

According to the SSU, since then he had been fighting against Ukrainian troops in the east, including in the area of the Bakhmut road, under the alias Santa.

The prosecutor's office specifies that the man was in the ranks of militants from June 2014 to 2016. In particular, he took part in the armed confrontation in Lysychansk to keep the city under Russian control and seize settlements, buildings and other facilities in Luhansk Oblast.

According to the prosecutor's office, he became the company commander of the 14th Prizrak battalion after "successfully completing his tasks".

The SSU reports that the militant later decided to leave his leaders for Odesa. In the city, he tried to "lie low".

During searches at his places of residence in Odesa, the SSU found photographic evidence of his stay in the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic.

The man was served a notice of suspicion under Article 258-3.1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (participation in a terrorist group). He is currently in custody. He faces up to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property.

For reference: The Prizrak battalion is an illegal armed formation created by collaborator Oleksiy Mozgov in Luhansk in 2014.

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