SSU uncovers neo-communist network seeking to “revive” USSR in eight regions of Ukraine

According to Ukrinform, the SSU reported this.

The perpetrators were identified in Kyiv, Cherkasy, Odesa, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, and Zakarpattia (Transcarpathia) regions. Each of them turned out to be an ideological supporter of “rashism” and was anticipating Russia’s complete occupation of Ukraine.

The investigation established that the individuals were instructed to set up regional groups of Soviet sympathizers and use these cells to incite unrest at the local level.

The group operated under the guidance of a lecturer from a naval academy in St. Petersburg.

The collaborators created their own Telegram and TikTok channels to recruit followers into a so-called “organizing committee of the Ukrainian SSR.” Through these online platforms, they also disseminated Soviet symbols, promoted the creation of party “branches,” and called on Ukrainians to disregard national laws.

A linguistic examination confirmed the presence of criminal content aimed at destabilizing Ukraine’s social and political environment.

During searches, law enforcement officers seized smartphones and computer equipment used by the suspects to spread Kremlin propaganda.

Based on the collected evidence, all eight organizers of the subversive network have been notified of suspicion under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• Part 2, Article 28; Part 2, Article 109 – public calls for the violent overthrow or seizure of state power, or distribution of materials containing such calls, committed by a group in collusion;
• Parts 1 and 2, Article 436-1 – production and dissemination of communist or Nazi symbols, and propaganda of totalitarian regimes, committed by an organized group using mass media;
• Parts 1, 2, and 3, Article 436-2 – justification, recognition as lawful, or denial of Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, and glorification of its participants, committed by a group in collusion.

The suspects face up to ten years in prison with confiscation of property.

As reported earlier by Ukrinform, a pro-Russian agitator in Mykolaiv region was recently exposed for calling the Maidan Revolution a “coup” and justifying Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine.

Photo: SSU