Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has put the so-called “prime minister” of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR) on its wanted list.
The SBU press service’s Facebook page on Wednesday said that ex-Ukrainian military (Civil Protection Service colonel) switched his allegiance to militant groups and initially headed the so-called LPR’s People’s Militia before becoming LPR’s “prime minister.”
“This person is now hiding from Ukrainian justice in the temporarily occupied territory of Luhansk region. He is wanted. The materials of the criminal proceedings opened for crimes against national and public security have been sent to court,” the SBU said, adding that the colonel will be much safer behind bars than among Russian-led forces in occupied Luhansk.
Media reports said the SBU was referring to Serhiy Kozlov, chairman of the so-called LPR Council of Ministers. Kozlov fled LPR following the assassination of Donetsk People’s Republic head Alexander Zakharchenko on August 31, 2018.
Verkhovna Rada deputy (People’s Front Party faction) Dmytro Tymchuk in May 2018 said Kozlov is suspected of embezzling budgetary funds in occupied LPR.
