Ukrainian security services have detained a high-ranking collaborator who served as the ‘Minister of Fuel and Energy’ in the Russian-occupied government of Crimea. According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the suspect was apprehended in Kyiv, where he had traveled to settle private matters. The detainee, a former official of the Crimean government, chose to betray his country following the 2014 annexation.
Upon obtaining Russian citizenship, the individual was appointed by the Moscow-backed puppet leader Sergey Aksyonov to manage the energy sector of the peninsula. Throughout his tenure, he played a crucial role in consolidating Russian control over strategic infrastructure. This included the management of major power plants, such as the Simferopol and Sevastopol thermal power stations, as well as critical gas pipelines and fuel terminals in Kerch and Feodosia. For two years, he actively integrated these assets into the Russian legal framework, effectively sustaining the occupation regime’s energy stability.
After his stint in the occupation government, the collaborator continued to work in the interests of the Kremlin by heading several extraction companies. During the search operations in Kyiv, SBU investigators recovered Russian passports, various financial documents, and evidence proving his ongoing collaboration with the enemy. The individual has been officially charged with high treason under Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison, along with the potential confiscation of his assets.
This arrest marks a significant success in Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to prosecute those who facilitated the occupation and integration of Ukrainian territories into the Russian state. It serves as a stern reminder that the passage of time does not provide immunity for those who acted against the nation’s sovereignty. The SBU continues to identify and locate individuals who have participated in administrative, economic, or propaganda efforts on behalf of the Kremlin during the occupation period. As the investigation progresses, authorities aim to uncover the full extent of the suspect’s involvement in sustaining the Russian war machine, ensuring that justice is served for all actions taken against the security and integrity of the Ukrainian state.