Officers of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) stopped the operation of a bot farm in Cherkasy. Internet propagandists used it to destabilise the situation in the country.
During the investigation it was established that the administrator of the bot farm was a local resident, who placed the equipment in a storage room of his private enterprise. The suspect used anonymous IP addresses and SIM cards from Ukrainian mobile operators.
He received payment for the services in cryptocurrencies and through Russian virtual payment systems banned by a decision of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.
According to investigators, through the bot farm internet agitators spread “pro-Russian propaganda, including disinformation about events in [simple_tooltip content=’separate districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions’]ORDLO[/simple_tooltip].”
Law enforcement officers seized computer equipment, telecommunications gear and more than 400 SIM cards.
Investigators are identifying the individuals involved in the bot farm’s operation.
Earlier in April, the SBU reported the disruption of a group allegedly involved in money laundering and illegal transfer of funds, including through cryptocurrencies.
During searches, law enforcement officers seized 800 kg of silver. A business partner of the suspects described it as an abuse of power.
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