The Security Service of Ukraine conducted an operation to prevent a militant from Russian armed groups from escaping Ukraine. The suspect, who participated in the conflict in Donetsk, was apprehended in Kovel, where he intended to leave for Europe.
The investigation revealed that he was a resident of Donetsk and joined the «Somali» group of the so-called «DPR» in 2015.
He took part in battles for Donetsk airport, where he was injured and subsequently discharged from combat duty.
At the end of October 2025, posing as a displaced person, he attempted to reach the western border of Ukraine to obtain a passport for traveling to the EU.
SBU operatives had already located him and detained him at the stage of preparing for his escape.
Information is also being checked regarding the suspect's possible connections with Russian intelligence services that might have planned his «assignment» for subversive activities in Europe.
During the search of the hotel room, Russian and «DPR» passports were found, as well as a military ID and insignia of the aggressor's armed formations.

The SBU investigators have already informed the suspect of charges under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

•  Part 1 of Article 111 (treason committed during martial law);
•  Part 2 of Article 260 (participation in illegal armed formations).

The suspect is currently in custody without the right to bail, facing a potential sentence of 15 years in prison with property confiscation.
The operation was carried out by SBU officers in the Volyn region together with the State Border Guard Service under the procedural guidance of the regional prosecutor's office.