SBU: Ukrainian design institute helped Russians restore their refineries after drone attacks
19 September 2024 14:58
The Security Service of Ukraine has accused the management of one of the leading oil research and design institutes in Kyiv of collaborating with Russia. This was reported by the SBU press service, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
According to the SBU investigation, the heads of the institution assisted the aggressor state in restoring oil refineries damaged by Ukrainian drone attacks. The SBU detained them.
Among the detainees are the chairman of the institute’s board, two heads of specialised departments, a chief engineer and one of the leading engineers. According to the SBU, they were developing design and construction documentation for the reconstruction of three key refineries commissioned by the Russian side. The total value of these contracts was almost half a billion hryvnias.
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In addition, according to the Service, during the process of restoring the damaged refineries, Ukrainian specialists also provided remote support for the technological processes of modernisation. This allowed Russia to quickly restore its critical oil infrastructure facilities.
During searches in Kyiv, Lviv and Kharkiv, mobile phones, computers and other data storage devices allegedly containing evidence of their cooperation with Russia were seized from the suspects’ offices and residences.
Five of the detainees were served a notice of suspicion under an article that provides for liability for aiding the aggressor state. Four of them are currently in custody, and the investigation is ongoing. They face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. The SBU did not say what happened to the fifth suspect.
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