Caught While Applying: Ex-Prison Guard for Russian Forces Tried to Join Ukrainian Police

Collaborator Exposed in Kherson

According to Главком: Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has apprehended a man who worked as a guard in a Russian-run prison during the occupation of Kherson. After the city was liberated, he attempted to join a Ukrainian law enforcement agency but was arrested while submitting his application. A local resident of Kherson, the suspect voluntarily sided with the enemy after the city fell, taking on the role of 'post inspector' at the occupation prison.

What the Collaborator Did and the Consequences

While working at the occupation prison, the detainee was issued a weapon, a Russian uniform, and an ID card. His duties included patrolling the prison perimeter and standing watch in a guard tower. Following Kherson's liberation, he went into hiding, but in April 2026, he filed paperwork to join a local Ukrainian law enforcement office. The SBU's counterintelligence unit uncovered his background during the hiring process, leading to his arrest on the spot.

The suspect has been charged under Part 7 of Article 111-1 of Ukraine's Criminal Code, which covers collaboration activities. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison and confiscation of his property. Investigators are working to uncover all details of his criminal involvement. This case is part of a broader effort by the SBU and the National Police to counter terrorist threats-an operation that recently included the arrest of a Russian agent in Zhytomyr who was planning an attack.

This incident highlights the critical role of law enforcement in uncovering collaboration that threatens Ukraine's national security.

The Security Service of Ukraine continues to actively identify and neutralize individuals who cooperate with the enemy. These efforts are essential for restoring public trust in law enforcement and ensuring stability in regions affected by occupation.

This recent arrest underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Ukrainian security forces in identifying threats from within. Similarly, the Ukrainian Security Service's recent efforts have successfully thwarted a plot by an FSB agent, highlighting the critical need for vigilance in safeguarding national security against various forms of collaboration.