'Politologist' from Medvedchuk's group detained in Poland now in one of Kyiv pre-trial detention centers
The Security Service of Ukraine, together with the Foreign Intelligence Service and Polish law enforcement officers in the EU, detained a "political expert" from the media pool of Viktor Medvedchuk, a suspect in treason. He has been charged, the SBU reports.
The special services are not naming the suspect, but, as our source in law enforcement says, it is Kyrylo Molchanov.
He was initially detained in Poland, and is now in one of the Kyiv pre-trial detention centers. This is the first time since the start of the full-scale invasion that a Russian agent working against Ukraine in the information sphere has been handed over at the request of the SBU.
The case materials indicate that Molchanov worked simultaneously for two Russian special services: the FSB and the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service. At the direction of the Russians, he was engaged in discrediting Ukraine in the international arena and worked to destabilize the internal situation in countries that are Ukraine's partners.
In 2022, he left for Russia, where he later became one of the key ideologists of the Kremlin media projects Another Ukraine and Voice of Europe, which are linked to Medvedchuk.
The man was also one of the frequent guests of Vladimir Solovyov's talk show, who recently was charged by the SBU. During 2023 alone, Molchanov participated in the propagandist's live broadcasts 35 times, where he justified the Russian armed aggression and spread fakes about the situation in Ukraine.
In addition, he organized street protests in the EU in the interests of the Kremlin, where he called for the withdrawal of international support for Ukraine.
Among other things, he publicly called for the preparation of contract terrorist attacks in Ukraine. To do this, the pseudo-political scientist used his Telegram channel, where he regularly shared chatbots of Russian special services that collect intelligence on the Defense Forces.
What are the charges?
Investigators charged Molchanov under Part 3 of Article 436-2 and Part 6 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - justification, recognition as lawful, denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, glorification of its participants and collaborative activities.
He faces up to 12 years in prison. The investigation is currently ongoing.
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