Thus, in Zaporizhia, former People's Deputy Yevhen Balytskyi, who was elected a deputy of the regional council from the Opposition Bloc in 2020, saw the full-scale Russian invasion as a chance to realize his own political ambitions.
He not only sided with the enemy, but also enlisted his support in seizing power in the region. In particular, with the help of the invaders, he forced employees of local governments and utilities to recognize themselves as the head of the "military-civil administration of the Zaporizhzhia region."
The traitor publicly criticized the current Ukrainian government and prepared for the Victory Day celebrations on May 9. He also issued a so-called "Temporary Organization of Public Order" order, which required residents of the region to form "public detachments" to ensure no anti-Russian activities.
Another official is suspected of collaborating with racists in the Kherson region. The deputy of the Kherson regional council Vitaly Bulyuk offered the candidacy for the position of chairman of so-called "Kherson customs".
He took the initiative before the occupiers to allegedly initiate customs clearance of goods through the "Kherson Customs", of which the invaders temporarily took control.
Currently, both traitors have been declared suspects under Art. 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - collaborative activities.
They face up to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property.