News Feed

Bellingcat: Ukraine behind failed attempt to arrest Russian proxies in 2020

1 min read
Bellingcat: Ukraine behind failed attempt to arrest Russian proxies in 2020
(Belarus-1 TV)

Ukraine’s military intelligence conducted an unsuccessful sting operation to capture 33 Kremlin-backed Wagner Group mercenaries in July 2020, the Bellingcat investigative project reported on Nov. 17.

According to the investigation, the operation failed after President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak told intelligence officials to delay the mercenaries’ capture to prevent the disruption of a ceasefire deal with Russia.

Yermak’s adviser Mykhailo Podoliak denied the allegations in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda, saying Yermak has no authority over military intelligence. Previously, Yermak and Zelensky denied that Ukraine’s intelligence was behind the failed sting operation.

Many of the mercenaries had fought against Ukrainian forces in the Donbas.

The initial plan was to lure the mercenaries to Belarus with a fake job offer, then intercept their plane on the way from Minsk to Istanbul on July 25, 2020. When the plan was delayed, Belarusian authorities arrested the mercenaries on July 29, 2020.

Avatar
Oleg Sukhov

Reporter

Oleg Sukhov is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent. He is a former editor and reporter at the Moscow Times. He has a master's degree in history from the Moscow State University. He moved to Ukraine in 2014 due to the crackdown on independent media in Russia and covered war, corruption, reforms and law enforcement for the Kyiv Post.

Read more
News Feed

*Russia imposes restrictions near Estonian border amid mobilization concerns *Ukraine confirms strikes on 2 Russian oil refineries in Ufa, Samara *SBU says it foiled FSB-linked plot to assassinate K-1 kickboxing federation president in Kyiv *Trump says he'll use Graham bill's Russia sanctions 'if necessary' *Ukraine strikes Russian drone storage and launch site in Oryol Oblast, damages 5 launchers

"Last week, in honor of Senator Lindsey Graham, I signed a powerful new law passed by Congress, providing me with enormous new tariff authorities," Trump said in his address at the U.N. General Assembly in New York. "And, if necessary, I will have to use them. It's time to stop the killing."

Show More