**Ukraine’s Security Service Cracks Down on Collaborators with Russian Forces**
In a move to bring those responsible for collaborating with Russian forces during the occupation of Kherson Oblast to justice, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has detained four residents of the city of Kherson. The SBU reported the detentions on May 30.
**Background: A Brief Look at Russia’s Occupation**
The city of Kherson was occupied by Russian forces in March 2022, shortly after they invaded the Kherson Oblast from Crimea in February 2022. Ukrainian forces liberated Kherson on November 11, 2022, ending a 255-day occupation.
**Those Arrested: A Closer Look at Their Roles**
Among those arrested is a chief specialist from one of the Kherson city council departments who had worked as a private accountant before joining Russia’s local occupation administration. She headed a unit called “labor and social protection management” and was responsible for transferring personal data of local residents to occupation “election commissions” for conducting Russia’s fake referendum.
Two other suspects joined the administration of occupation prisons after the regional center was captured. One became an assistant on duty to the head of the so-called “investigative detention center,” while the second man voluntarily agreed to guard the perimeter of an occupation prison that Russians opened on the basis of a captured correctional colony.
The fourth detainee joined the occupation Russian Interior Ministry at the start of the full-scale war and guided armed Russian units to the homes of Ukrainian patriots.
**Charges and Consequences**
All suspects received charges of collaboration and are held in custody without bail. They face up to 15 years in prison with property confiscation.
Commentary:
The detention of these individuals highlights the lengths to which some people went to collaborate with Russian forces during the occupation of Kherson Oblast. The roles they played, from heading units responsible for fake referendums to guarding occupation prisons and guiding armed Russian units, demonstrate a clear willingness to assist the enemy at the expense of their own country.
This move by the SBU sends a strong message that such actions will not be tolerated in Ukraine. As the country continues to rebuild and recover from the effects of Russian aggression, it is essential to hold accountable those who worked against the interests of their fellow citizens.
**What’s Next?**
The investigation into these cases will likely provide valuable insights into the extent to which collaborators with Russian forces operated during the occupation of Kherson Oblast. As Ukraine continues to build its defenses and strengthen its institutions, it is crucial that it also addresses the internal threats posed by those who worked against its interests.
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