UKRAINE, KHARKIV, Apr 08 — In Kharkiv, SBU detained six design engineers. They are suspected of collaborating with the sanctioned Russian state nuclear power corporation, Rosatom, reported the SBU press service.

According to the investigation, the main suspect is the head of a project organization in Kharkiv. The man established contact with representatives of the Russian Federation through his relative, the owner of a Russian company that is the Rosatom’s contractor. The Kharkiv resident invited five local nuclear scientists to join him. The group received payments in cryptocurrency for their cooperation with Russian representatives.

According to SBU, the group developed research and design documentation for the modernization of Russia’s Kursk, Rostov, Novovoronezh, and Balakovo NPPs at the corporation’s request. Representatives of Rosatom also planned to integrate the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) with the Russian energy system, but the enforcement officers detained the suspects.

SBU investigators served the six detainees a notice of suspicion under Part 1 of Art. 111-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (aiding the aggressor state). They face up to 12 years in prison.

In total, more than 1,000 people in the Kharkiv Oblast have been served with a notice of suspicion in proceedings over treason, collaboration, and dissemination of information about the movement of the Armed Forces. So far, courts have tried and sentenced 382 people, including 338 who were found guilty of collaborationism, 16 — of treason, and 17 — of helping Russia target missiles.

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  • Since the Russian occupation of Energodar and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Russian forces have systematically kidnapped and tortured the plant employees.