The SBI reported the suspicion of 9 ex-military officers, who in 2014 remained in Crimea and defected to the enemy side

The SBI continues its systematic work to bring to justice former Ukrainian servicemen from the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, who in 2014 defected to the side of the enemy. Many of them continue to serve in the occupants forces and fight against their own people. But these crimes do not have a statute of limitations and all traitors of Ukraine will be inevitably held accountable.

The Bureau employees reported in absentia the suspicion to 9 former servicemen of anti-aircraft battalions of one of the military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who switched to the side of the enemy after the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

The suspects include the chief of staff, battery commander, deputy divisional commanders and other officers.

In addition to the fact that these ex-military officers contributed to the occupation of the peninsula, during the full-scale invasion of the russian federation in Ukraine, most of them continued to fight on the side of the enemy.

One of the ex-military officer, Denis Podobedov, currently holds the post of deputy commander of the anti-aircraft missile regiment and manages the air defense of the invaders in the Crimea.

All of them are suspected of desertion and high treason (Part 1 of Article 408 and Part 1 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The sanction of the article provides for a punishment of imprisonment for up to 15 years with confiscation of property.

Procedural guidnce of pre-trial investigation is carried out by Vinnytsia specialized prosecutor's office in the military and defense sphere.