A 49-year-old business director in Kharkiv has been sentenced to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property for collaborating with the Russian Federation, as reported by the regional prosecutor’s office. The court also imposed an 11-year ban on him holding any public office, citing his involvement in aiding the aggressor state, justifying the invasion, and illegal possession of explosives.
The investigation revealed a complex scheme where the defendant, who obtained a Russian passport back in 2014, managed a company in Volgograd specialized in metrology and Earth remote sensing. Even after the start of the full-scale invasion, he continued to operate from Kharkiv, providing remote technical support to the Russian space industry. Specifically, in 2023, he orchestrated the calibration and verification of flight equipment for the Russian satellite ‘Condor-FKA No. 1,’ a platform used by the Russian military for round-the-clock reconnaissance of Ukrainian targets.
Furthermore, the perpetrator involved a local scientist to help develop instructions for radar reflectors. Communication records also captured the defendant justifying the occupation of Ukrainian territories and spreading anti-Ukrainian rhetoric. During a search of his home, authorities discovered a Russian passport, bank cards, cash, and a live F-1 grenade with a fuze.
Despite the defendant pleading not guilty, the court relied on the overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution. This case highlights the ongoing effort by Ukrainian law enforcement to root out individuals facilitating Russia’s war efforts from within the country. As the war continues, protecting critical infrastructure and uncovering sabotage remain top priorities for national security agencies. The severity of the sentence serves as a warning that providing any form of technical or moral support to the invading forces will be prosecuted with the full extent of the law.