Former Crimea Prosecutor Vitaliy Kuchyn Indicted in Absentia for Treason

Ties to Russian intelligence services The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has issued an absentia indictment for treason against Vitaliy Kuchyn, former prosecutor of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. In 2014, he supported the Russian annexation of the peninsula and continued to work in the occupation structures.

Since June 2023, Kuchyn has held the post of "First Deputy Head of the Krasnogvardeysk District of the Republic of Crimea". According to the investigation, he collaborated with Russian intelligence services and maintained contact with Ukrainian lawyer Oleksandr Samarets.

Oleksandr Samarets' activities Oleksandr Samarets is the managing partner of the "First Law Firm" law association and has headed the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of the Bar Association of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast since 2018. On 22 January 2024, he was detained while attempting to cross the border at the Krakovets checkpoint. The SBU charged him with treason and aiding Russian aggression.

Intelligence activities and data leaks According to the SBU, Samarets collected and passed to Kuchyn data on the locations of drone and missile weapons production and storage facilities. He provided the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) with precise coordinates of strategic facilities, including the Makarov Plant. The investigation established that on 24 December 2023, while in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Samarets sent via Telegram information about an enterprise involved in UAV production, along with its precise coordinates.

On 29 December, Russian forces struck the Makarov Plant. On the same day, Samarets informed Kuchyn of the missile hits and called for new attacks on Dnipro and Odesa.

Transfer of data to the FSB On 3 January 2024, Kuchyn forwarded the received information to Arif Vagabov, head of the operational department of the FSB Border Service in Dzhankoi. According to the investigation, Vagabov requested additional information about the plant, and Kuchyn again contacted Samarets, who provided updated coordinates.Ties to Russian intelligence services The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has issued an absentia indictment for treason against Vitaliy Kuchyn, former prosecutor of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. In 2014, he supported the Russian annexation of the peninsula and continued to work in the occupation structures.

Since June 2023, Kuchyn has held the post of "First Deputy Head of the Krasnogvardeysk District of the Republic of Crimea". According to the investigation, he collaborated with Russian intelligence services and maintained contact with Ukrainian lawyer Oleksandr Samarets.

Oleksandr Samarets' activities Oleksandr Samarets is the managing partner of the "First Law Firm" law association and has headed the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of the Bar Association of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast since 2018. On 22 January 2024, he was detained while attempting to cross the border at the Krakovets checkpoint. The SBU charged him with treason and aiding Russian aggression.

Intelligence activities and data leaks According to the SBU, Samarets collected and passed to Kuchyn data on the locations of drone and missile weapons production and storage facilities. He provided the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) with precise coordinates of strategic facilities, including the Makarov Plant. The investigation established that on 24 December 2023, while in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Samarets sent via Telegram information about an enterprise involved in UAV production, along with its precise coordinates.

On 29 December, Russian forces struck the Makarov Plant. On the same day, Samarets informed Kuchyn of the missile hits and called for new attacks on Dnipro and Odesa.

Transfer of data to the FSB On 3 January 2024, Kuchyn forwarded the received information to Arif Vagabov, head of the operational department of the FSB Border Service in Dzhankoi. According to the investigation, Vagabov requested additional information about the plant, and Kuchyn again contacted Samarets, who provided updated coordinates.

Consequences and potential punishment At present, Oleksandr Samarets is in custody without the possibility of bail. He faces a sentence of 15 years' imprisonment to life in prison. Vitaliy Kuchyn has been declared a wanted person and indicted in absentia for treason.

Consequences and potential punishment At present, Oleksandr Samarets is in custody without the possibility of bail. He faces a sentence of 15 years' imprisonment to life in prison. Vitaliy Kuchyn has been declared a wanted person and indicted in absentia for treason.