Ukraine Security Arrest 90 'Terrorists and Spies' With Links to Russia

June 20, 2014

Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, the head of the Ukrainian Security Service.

The Ukrainian Security Service said Friday it had arrested nearly one hundred people with reported ties to Russia's intelligence community on suspicion of subversive activity.

"More than 90 terrorists and spies, including 13 citizens of Russia, have been arrested,"

Ukrainian newspaper Den cited Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, the head of the Ukrainian Security Service, as saying on Friday.

Nalyvaichenko added that the Russian suspects were not fighting mercenaries but rather "professional intelligence officers."

The security head, who referred to Russia as an "aggressor," also said communications channels between the Ukrainian Security Service and Russia's Federal Security Service had been cut and that all bilateral agreements between the organizations had been terminated.

Since the ouster of pro-Kremlin President Viktor Yanukovych in February, the new Ukraine government has repeatedly accused Russia of involvement in separatist unrest in the country's east, though Russia denies the claims.

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