The Security Service of Ukraine, in cooperation with foreign partners and the State Border Guard Service, conducted a special operation leading to the arrest of Dmytro Chystylin, a Kremlin ideologist involved in Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.
Chystylin was an aide to former Putin advisor Sergey Glazyev, one of the key figures behind the annexation of Crimea and the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. He also helped develop the "Information Warfare Strategy," which justified Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. From 2016 to 2024, he prepared analytical materials for the Kremlin, supporting Russian military actions and advocating for the integration of occupied Ukrainian regions into Russia.
In addition to his propaganda efforts, Chystylin participated in organizing interventions in electoral processes across Eastern and Central Europe to advance Moscow's interests. He falsely represented himself as acting on behalf of Ukrainian civil society during so-called "roundtables" in European countries, spreading Kremlin narratives in hopes of reducing Western support for Ukraine.
Chystylin was apprehended with the assistance of Moldovan law enforcement as he attempted to return to Moscow via third countries after participating in one such forum.
He is now facing charges for assisting Russian military intelligence, including aiding in the creation of mechanisms to bypass sanctions against Russia. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment and confiscation of property.
