Ukraine’s security service arrests 10 pro-Russian campaigners across the country

Source: Security Service of Ukraine

Ten pro-Russian campaigners were arrested in a series of raids in Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, and Vinnytsia regions, said  the state security service on Friday.  All of them were allegedly part of a campaign that aimed to “disrupt Ukraine’s mobilization efforts and justified Russia’s aggression”.

In Kyiv region, the SBU arrested a TV pundit who was earlier a ‘frequent guest’ of  Viktor Medvedchuk’s TV channels.  The  individual whose name is not disclosed was part of an “FSB spy network” coordinated by Sergey Stepanov, chief editor of the news platform “PolitNavigator.”

The SBU exposed the network in the early days of the Russian invasion. While Stepanov managed to escape to occupied Crimea, the SBU operatives arrested two of his surrogates.  Their Kyiv-based accomplice tried to stay under the radar changing resindences across the country.

Meanwhile, Vinnutsia police detained a 39-year-old community manage of several YouTube and Telegram channels, who not only pocketed donations for the Ukrainian army but also offered tips on how to dodge the military service.

Three more individuals were arrested in Zhytomyr and face charges of inciting violence against military recruitment officers and disclosing patrol locations.

Another pro-Russian Telegram channel was shut down inin Chernihiv where the SBU raid arrested its community manager and his five accomplices who disclosed information on Ukrainian troop movements.