Deaths of 22 service members following dangerous contacts: police urge public to warn troops of threat. INFOGRAPHICS
The National Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 22 service members. Investigators have already uncovered murder schemes organised through Telegram. Suspects have been identified in cases involving 12 of the deceased. The causes and circumstances of the other deaths are still being established.
This is stated in a National Police statement, Censor.NET reports.
Help warn our service members — it could save their lives
- How did the perpetrators operate?
They contacted service members through Telegram, gained their trust, maintained personal communication, and later offered to meet, give them gifts, or send parcels. They spiked drinks with methadone and sent dangerous substances by post.
They also exploited longstanding acquaintances. In one case, a person with whom a service member had regularly communicated by video call over a long period was acting on a handler’s instructions.
National Police chief Maksym Tsutskiridze described the schemes uncovered and ways to stay safe in an interview with UNIAN.
Five warning signs that must not be ignored:
- Questions about your place of service and whereabouts;
- Requests or demands to keep your communication secret;
- Persistent invitations to meet alone;
- Unexpected gifts or parcels, especially from people you barely know;
- Offers of drinks, medicines or other substances of unknown origin.
If a contact seems suspicious:
Do not agree to meet or continue communicating "to check". Save the correspondence, account details, and phone number, and report it to the police by calling 102. Checking such contacts is a matter for law enforcement.
"Share this guidance with relatives and friends who serve, and ask them to pass it on to their fellow service members. It is important that service members know about these schemes in advance, as recognising danger in time can save lives," the National Police urged Ukrainian citizens.
