Former police officer worked for the FSB

The Vinnytsia court is hearing a treason case against Anton Shevtsov, the former head of the Vinnytsia regional police, and pro-Russian blogger Anatoly Shariy, who is known for his anti-Ukrainian activities.

Anton Shevtsov, who previously held senior positions in the police forces of Chernihiv and Vinnytsia regions, openly supported pro-Russian policies as early as 2014. He took part in the "Victory Parade" in occupied Sevastopol, displaying symbols associated with Russian aggression. Despite his provocative views, Shevtsov managed to build a career in the Ukrainian police. In 2016, he was detained on suspicion of treason, although the case was subsequently closed.

With the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Shevtsov engaged in propaganda activities, collaborating with the FSB. He organised a media project that used Ukrainian prisoners of war. They were coerced into recording videos that discredited the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These materials were subsequently distributed by Anatoly Shariy, whose audience numbers millions of subscribers.

At present, both defendants are hiding outside Ukraine: Anton Shevtsov is in Russia, while Anatoly Shariy is in Spain, where he is evading the investigation.

Shariy, who has admitted to distributing propaganda videos, claims that he did so allegedly at the request of the prisoners' relatives, rather than on the instructions of the FSB. However, such statements raise serious doubts.