According to the report, the detained individuals acted as guides for advancing Russian troops in the area, advising them on best defensive positions – including ones in dense residential areas.
Furthermore, the suspects helped enemy troops erect fortifications, patrolled around one of the local apartment complexes, and provided intelligence regarding the civilian population.
“Those reports were the basis for (Russian) invaders raiding people’s homes and abducting civilians,” SBU said.
“Victims were tortured and threatened with execution.”
The gang members were local citizens who expected to be rewarded with official positions in the would-be occupation government.
Ever since Russian troops withdrew from Kyiv Oblast, the suspects sought to evade law enforcement – ultimately, to no avail, the SBU said.