A counter-intelligence unit with Ukraine’s SBU security service has carried out a special operation to transport a former top official of the Russian-backed militants occupying parts of Donetsk Oblast to government-controlled territory, the agency said on Jan. 29.
According to the SBU, the unnamed high-profile collaborator formerly served as the militants’ “coal industry minister” and was involved in the activities of the so-called “government of the Donetsk People’s Republic,” the unrecognized, Russian-controlled statelet in occupied Donetsk Oblast, and also participated in policymaking at his “ministry.”
“In particular, he regulated coal mining enterprises and the redistribution of energy resources in the occupied territories,” the Ukrainian security service stated.
After being removed from his position, the official started a private business in occupied Donbas in a bid to distance himself from the Russian-backed militants’ administration and even contemplated defection to Ukraine.
Eventually, Ukrainian counter-intelligence forces covertly brought him to Ukrainian government-controlled territory.
Citing its own sources and based upon details of the individual’s biography published by the SBU, the Ukrainska Pravda news site has identified him as Ihor Ivakin.
“Immediately following (the transfer), the individual filed the appropriate report with the SBU in which he admitted to involvement with the illegal authorities in the occupied territories,” the SBU also said.
“The man provided detailed testimony concerning concrete facts of Russia’s direct involvement in the occupation of (Donbas). The former ‘minister’ also testified to the involvement of Russian state officials, who were present in occupied Donbas as ‘advisors’ in running fraud schemes of plundering Russian budget funds allocated to coal mining facilities (of Donbas).”
The suspect is currently undergoing security checks concerning whether he committed any major violent crimes, the SBU added.
Since August 2014, the SBU has run a program offering Russian-backed militants the opportunity to safely return to Ukrainian-controlled territory and civilian life. To participate in the program, an individual seeking to leave the militant formations must make contact with the SBU, which, in turn, promises to provide confidentiality and security for the defector and their family.
If a defector willingly confesses to participating in the militant formations and has no confirmed record of violent crimes, he or she can be freed from criminal prosecution.
According to the SBU, more than 360 people have successfully returned to civilian life under this program as of early 2019.
