The investigation claims that during 2023–2024, the individuals involved participated in the construction of a liquefied gas production plant in the Rostov region (Russia), where the products manufactured could be loaded onto tankers of the Russian "shadow fleet" and secretly sold in various parts of the world. According to Ukrainian intelligence, a significant portion of the revenue from this operation was directed by Moscow to finance the war in Ukraine.
"As a result of comprehensive measures in the Kyiv region, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained a developer of equipment and a project engineer from a Ukrainian holding company who were involved in the construction of the Russian plant. It has been documented that both individuals were responsible for developing all project documentation for the production facility and its technological capacities," the statement reads.
The completed designs were likely sent to Russian clients through a co-owner of the Ukrainian holding, who is located in the temporarily occupied part of Donetsk region. According to the SBU, he owns five companies in the city of Shakhty in the Rostov region, supplying equipment to gas stations of sanctioned Russian corporations "Gazprom" and "Lukoil".
Additionally, in the Poltava region, law enforcement detained the owner of a gas station network in the area temporarily occupied by Russians in eastern Ukraine, whom the SBU considers an accomplice. This individual is likely fueling military equipment of the occupiers.
Investigators have informed the three detainees of their suspicion of aiding a state aggressor (part 1 of article 111-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). They could face up to 12 years in prison with asset confiscation.
"Crimes committed by the co-owner of the Ukrainian holding and the director of the gas station network, who are outside the territory controlled by Ukraine, have also been classified under this article in absentia. Pre-trial investigations are ongoing," the SBU added.