UPDATED: The Security Service of Ukraine suspects a former oligarch and ex-MP of spreading Kremlin narratives.

The Security Service and the State Bureau of Investigation have documented new instances of subversive activities by a former Member of Parliament of Ukraine, who is currently hiding abroad and publicly justifying Russia's armed aggression.

This is reported by the press service of the SBU.

It is noted that the individual in question is an ex-MP-oligarch who was a long-time member of the "Party of Regions" and the "Opposition Bloc," disseminating narratives from the Kremlin.

The law enforcement announcement does not specify the name of the individual, but according to media reports, it concerns Vadym Novynskyi, who has been associated with the "Party of Regions" and the "Opposition Bloc" for an extended period.

According to the SBU, after the onset of the full-scale war, the individual left for the European Union on a charter flight, where he continued to work in the interests of Russia.

"Based on the case materials, the former MP was in direct contact with the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kirill (Gundyaev), and utilized the religious communities under his authority in EU countries to 'amplify' Russian propaganda," the statement reads.

In particular, the investigation established that he involved foreign parishioners to discredit Ukraine on the international stage.

Thus, based on the evidence obtained, the individual has been notified of suspicion in absentia under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• Part 1 of Article 111 (treason);
• Part 2 of Article 161 (violations of the equality of citizens based on their racial, national, regional affiliation, and religious beliefs, committed by an organized group of individuals).

Background. Earlier, Mind reported that the SBU announced suspicion against a former presenter of Medvedchuk's and Murayev's channels. The blogger is suspected of spreading Russian propaganda.