Ukrainian Security Service arrests key Kremlin figure involved in Russian aggression against Ukraine
Dmitry Chistilin, a key ideologue of Kremlin (Photo: screenshot of the video)
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), together with foreign partners and the State Border Guard Service, conducted a special operation resulting in the capture of Dmitry Chistilin - a key ideologue of Kremlin aggression against Ukraine, the SSU reports.
Chistilin was an assistant to Sergey Glazyev, a former advisor to the Russian president, and was actively involved in organizing information campaigns to support the annexation of Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions. From 2016 to 2024, he prepared analytical materials for the Kremlin, justifying armed aggression and promoting the integration of temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories into the Russian Federation.
Additionally, Chistilin actively promoted Kremlin interests outside of Russia, organizing interference in electoral processes in Eastern and Central European countries to reduce Western support for Ukraine. By posing as a representative of Ukrainian civil society, he spread Kremlin narratives during "round tables" in European countries.
Chistilin was detained after one of these forums, thanks to cooperation with law enforcement authorities in the Republic of Moldova, as he attempted to flee to Moscow via third countries.
He is currently in custody and has been charged under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: treason and justifying Russia's armed aggression. He faces life imprisonment and confiscation of property.
Russia’s increase in military spending
Bloomberg reported that Russia plans to significantly increase its military spending in 2025. The draft state budget includes an allocation of 13.2 trillion rubles ($142 billion) for defense spending and the war against Ukraine.
This amount will represent over a third of all budget expenditures and will be a record high. However, Russian authorities are concerned that information about such spending may provoke a negative reaction among citizens and affect dictator Vladimir Putin's ratings.
