Russian ideologue Dmitry Chistilin. Photo: SSU
The Security Service of Ukraine, together with foreign partners and the State Border Guard Service, conducted a successful special operation that resulted in the detention of Dmitry Chistilin, one of the key ideologues of the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine. The detention took place after his participation in a propaganda event in Europe, when he tried to escape to Moscow through the territories of third countries with the help of Moldova, the SBU press service reported.
Key role in hybrid warfare
Dmitry Chistilin is an aide to Sergei Glazyev, a former Putin adviser who played an important role in the seizure of Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Chistilin was one of the main developers of the Kremlin’s “Information Warfare Strategy”, which was intended to justify Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Between 2016 and 2024, he prepared a number of analytical documents for the Kremlin that justified armed aggression and the integration of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine into Russia.
Propaganda and interference in elections
In addition to information warfare, Chistilin was active in the international arena, promoting the Kremlin’s interests. One of his key tasks was to interfere in electoral processes in Eastern and Central Europe. He took part in so-called “round tables” posing as a representative of the Ukrainian public, spreading pro-Russian narratives to reduce Western support for Ukraine.
Arrest and suspicion
Thanks to the SSU’s cooperation with international law enforcement agencies, Chistilin was detained while he was trying to flee to Moscow. He is currently in custody and charged under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- ч. 2 of Art. 111 – high treason committed under martial law;
- ч. 3 of Art. 436-2 – justification, recognition of the legitimacy, denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
Threat of life imprisonment
Currently, law enforcement officers are documenting additional facts confirming Chistilin’s assistance to Russian special services. Among other things, it concerns his involvement in creating mechanisms to circumvent sanctions imposed against Russia. For his crimes, he faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
A special operation on an international scale
This operation demonstrates the enhanced cooperation of Ukrainian law enforcement with international partners in the fight against Russia’s information and military aggression. Under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office, comprehensive measures are being taken to bring to justice even the most influential agents of the Kremlin.
