SBU detains one of the ideologues of Russian armed aggression, Chistilin

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has conducted a special operation, detaining Dmitry Chistilin. He is a key Kremlin ideologue behind Russia’s armed aggression.

This was reported by the SBU press centre.

Chistilin is an assistant to Sergei Glazyev, a former adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He is also one of the chief architects behind the annexation of Crimea and the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. He is credited with developing the «Information Warfare Strategy» that justified Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Between 2016 and 2024, Chistilin authored several «analytical materials» for the Kremlin. There he supported Russia’s military aggression and the «integration» of Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories into Russia.

While assisting Russian intelligence services, Chistilin wrote numerous publications aimed at conducting information sabotage against Ukraine.

He also played an active role in promoting Kremlin interests abroad, organizing interference in electoral processes across Eastern and Central Europe in favor of Moscow.

Chistilin frequently participated in so-called «round tables» in European countries, claiming to represent the «Ukrainian public.» During these events, he spread Kremlin propaganda, hoping to diminish Western support for Ukraine.

Following his involvement in one such forum, Chistilin was apprehended with the help of Moldovan law enforcement as he attempted to return to Moscow through third countries.

• The suspect is currently in custody and faces charges under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: part 2 of Article 111 (high treason committed under martial law) and part 3 of Article 436-2 (justification, recognition as lawful, denial of Russian Federation armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants).

There are also documented instances of his assistance to Russian military intelligence, particularly in developing mechanisms to circumvent sanctions imposed on Russia.

Chistilin faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.