The HACC continued questioning Ihor Kolesnikov — a witness in the case against former MP Andrii Derkach. At the previous hearing, he testified about transferring money from the Russian GRU to Derkach; this time, he said he also facilitated the exchange of documents (sealed A4 envelopes and flash drives) between them. According to him, he did not know the contents of the materials, but believed they were reports transmitted between Derkach (not directly) and representatives of the Russian GRU.
During the hearing, audio recordings of Kolesnikov’s conversations were played, including with Aleksei Savin, an assistant to the First Deputy Head of the Russian GRU, Vladimir Alekseev. In those conversations, coded references were made to organizing a meeting between Derkach and Alekseev in moscow, as well as to press conferences.
The witness said that the materials for the press conferences were most likely prepared by Derkach himself. He also recalled stating during a 2020 interrogation that the initiative came from Derkach.
The SAPO has charged Andrii Derkach with high treason. According to the investigation, between 2019 and 2022, he received at least $567,000 from Russian intelligence agencies and used the funds for information campaigns aimed at undermining Ukraine, including efforts to derail European integration and damage relations with Western partners. His case has been under review at HACC since December 2023.