SBU opens more than 23,000 criminal cases due to Russian aggression

SBU Chief Ivan Bakanov said this at a meeting of the heads of law enforcement agencies on the disclosure of crimes committed in an armed conflict, according to the SBU's website.

"The SBU systematically protects the national interests and security of Ukraine. Our units are currently investigating almost 2,000 criminal proceedings related to the armed aggression of the Russian Federation and crimes committed in the context of an armed conflict," Bakanov said.

According to him, over the past seven years, more than 3,500 criminal cases have been investigated and forwarded to courts.

"Since February 2014, SBU investigators have declared more than 6,000 people suspects, including 261 citizens of the Russian Federation. More than 3,500 criminal proceedings have been filed with the courts, and more than 1,200 people have already been found guilty," Bakanov added.

At the same time, he said that the investigation into such crimes was complicated by the temporary occupation and hostilities in eastern Ukraine. This makes it impossible for investigators and prosecutors to have physical access to documents and persons in non-government-controlled territories.

"Proper work of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies on these facts will focus the efforts of the International Criminal Court on bringing to justice high-ranking Russian officials and leaders of illegally created armed groups," Bakanov said.

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