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Alleged Russian propaganda agent arrested in Poland after joint operation with Ukraine

Photo: SBU
The suspect allegedly worked for Russia’s FSB and Foreign Intelligence Service. Photo: SBU
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Ukrainian and Polish law enforcement detained an alleged Russian agent involved in anti-Ukraine propaganda, Ukraine’s State Security Service (SBU) reported on Tuesday.

Political analyst Kyrylo Molchanov is accused of being connected to the Ukrainian pro-Kremlin politician Viktor Medvedchuk, who faces treason charges and is believed to be in Russia.

Molchanov was first arrested in Poland and then moved to a detention center in Kyiv before his trial, said the SBU.

The SBU alleges Molchanov was recruited by Russia’s intelligence agency (FSB) and the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service to spread disinformation.

“On the instructions of the occupiers, he was engaged in discrediting Ukraine in the international arena and worked to destabilize the internal situation in the partner countries of our state,” the SBU said.

Investigators alleged that Molchanov publicly encouraged terrorist acts in Ukraine and used his Telegram channel to amplify Russian intelligence’s disinformation campaigns.

According to the SBU, Molchanov frequently appeared on Kremlin-controlled media in 2022 and 2023, including talk shows hosted by propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, “where he justified Russia’s armed aggression and spread fake news about the situation in Ukraine.”

Ukrainian authorities say the investigation is ongoing.
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