SBU Arrests Ukrainian Woman Who Fought Against Ukraine and Tried to Enter the Country From Belarus

Reform.news Editorial Team · 23 October 2026, 16:48

https://reform.news/en/sbu-arrests-ukrainian-woman-who-fought-against-ukraine-and-tried-to-enter-the-country-from-belarus/

Counterintelligence officers of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) have arrested a Ukrainian woman who fought against Ukraine in 2022. The woman attempted to return to Ukraine via Belarus.

Before the war, the woman worked as a nurse at the Donetsk Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital. In late February 2022, she voluntarily joined the Russian army and enlisted in the 91st Separate Rifle Regiment of the 1st Army Corps of Russia’s Southern Military District. She attained the rank of sergeant and served in Russian forces until August 2024, the SBU reported.

After leaving the armed forces, she decided to travel from the occupied territory to the EU, but first needed to renew her Ukrainian international passport. She decided to enter Ukraine via Belarus and crossed the Belarusian-Ukrainian border at the Domanove checkpoint.

The Ukrainian woman was detained at a hotel in Kovel. During a search, officers found a Russian passport, Russian military service documents, a Russian military veteran’s certificate and Russian rubles.

She has been charged with high treason committed under martial law. She remains in custody.