The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has busted a ring that smuggled food to the rebel-held parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the SBU said on June 24.
“The Ukrainian Security Service has conducted a large-scale special operation in the anti-terror operation area to cut off a supply route goods supply to the eastern Ukraine. Fighters from one of the volunteer battalions and certain members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were involved in organizing the supplies,” an SBU spokesperson said.
Security officers found eight trucks carrying food, alcohol and other goods near Stanytsia Luhanska, the SBU said. The food vans accompanied by volunteer battalion fighters tried to cross the dividing line towards Luhansk.
“SBU officers, jointly with units of the National Guard and the volunteer battalions, detained the trucks and the servicemen who accompanied them,” the spokesperson said.
The SBU has launched a criminal inquiry under Article 258-5 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code (the financing of terrorism). Efforts are underway to identify all those from among the military and law enforcement personnel, who were involved in organizing and delivering supplies to terrorists.
