Ukraine’s security agency charges three ex-MPs with high treason

This was reported by the Security Service (SBU), Ukrinform saw.

According to the inquiry, Tsariov was in contact with Russia’s senior defense officials after the full-scale invasion. In particular, it was established that he was behind the leak of sensitive data on the level of destruction caused by the Russian strikes.

"It was he who gave the occupiers detailed information on the outcome of the missile attack on the Kremenchuk Oil Refinery. Tsariov received this information from another Party of Regions MP Dmytro Svyatash, the agency emphasized.

Investigators learned that after February 24, 2022, Sviatash was actively supporting the Russian Federation, and that the Kremlin considered him a potential "Gauleiter" of Kharkiv region in case of its capture by the invasion forces.

According to the SBU, Sviatash tipped the invaders on armament and movements of the units of Ukraine’s Defense Forces across the region. He received the data through his party operatives in Kharkiv region.

Another suspect is former MP Ihor Markov, who has been justifying Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine. Videos of his provocative speeches were repeatedly aired on Russian propaganda TV.

SBU detectives additionally qualified Markov's actions under two articles of the Criminal Code: Art. 436 (war propaganda) and Art. 436-2 (justification, recognition as legitimate, or denial of armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and glorification of its participants).

Taking into account the newly gathered evidence, further probe is focused on  establishing all the circumstances of the crimes committed and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

The agency recalled that the suspects had earlier been charged with committing other crimes against the national security of Ukraine.

In turn, the Prosecutor General's Office reported that the mentioned People's Deputies of IV-VII and IV-VIII convocations left for Russia in 2014 and 2019 to avoid prosecution.