Security Service of Ukraine staff has exposed a number of telecommunication providers on illegal routing of internet-traffic in pro-Russian groupings ‘DPR/LPR’, temporary annexed Crimea and unrecognized Pridnestrovie (Transnistria).

Operative workers of Security Service have detected that management of providers, recognizing public dangerous and outspoken anti-state character of their actions, had been providing traffic transit, in particular to NGCA of Ukraine.  

‘Considering fact that Russian Security Services actively use internet to hold special information operation against our state, including using their ‘marionettes’ in NGCA. Such actions of staff of Ukrainian companies cause great harm to national security of Ukraine’, tells SBU message.

SBU staff documented the illegal activities of national providers that carried out the routing of Internet traffic to areas beyond Ukraine’s control than actually served anti-Ukrainian information operations by Russian special services and terrorist organizations ‘DPR / LPR’ controlled by them.

It’s noted in the message that traffic transit technologically occurred through the connection of communication channels with the Russian Federation to the networks of domestic telecommunications nodes, followed by its sending to the Donetsk provider, which served openly anti-Ukrainian information web resources – the ‘heads’ and ‘council of ministers’ of ‘DPR / LPR’.

In time of authorized searchings in the premises of providers in Kiev and the region, the Dnieper, Odessa and Kharkov law enforcements have seized

final computer equipment and documentary materials confirming the implementation of unlawful activities.

Criminal proceedings under art. 111 and art. 258-3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is opened.

The urgent investigative actions are continuing, the SBU said.