The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has eliminated Ukrainian pro-Russian ex-MP Illya Kyva, suspected of treason, LB.ua has learnt from sources.
He was killed with small arms as a result of a special operation by the SBU.
The information about Kyva's death was confirmed by Ukrainian intelligence.
"Yes. We can confirm that Kyva is finished. The same fate will befall other traitors to Ukraine, as well as the Putin regime's henchmen," Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate, told the news telethon.
Who is Illya Kyva?
- He is originally from Poltava.
- A former member of parliament of Ukraine of the 9th convocation from the banned Opposition Platform-For Life party. He is subject to anti-corruption investigations.
- He is known for organising a semi-legal paramilitary group called Life Safety [Bezpeka Zhyttya] under the auspices of the Interior Ministry in 2017, which was used as thugs in rallies on the side of developers and, in particular, in a rally in support of closing the investigation into the potentially corrupt purchase of backpacks for the Interior Ministry. The organisation was disbanded in October 2018.
- Before becoming an MP from the banned OPFL, in 2017, Kyva declared himself the leader of the Socialist Party.
- In 2019, he ran for president of Ukraine.
- In December 2021, he spoke on Russia 1 TV channel in favour of Ukraine's merger with Russia. Kyva then praised the Kremlin's policy and justified the occupation of Ukrainian Crimea.
- On 24 February 2022, the former MP called on Russia to "liberate Ukraine" on the air of Russian TV. Before the invasion, he went to Spain, and then stayed in Russia and attended broadcasts of the pro-Russian Channel One TV.
- In March 2022, Kyva was stripped of his parliamentary mandate, and two months later, Australia imposed sanctions on him.
- Last October, the SBU dismantled a criminal group in Kyiv which Kyva managed from Russia. Previously, they were involved in so-called physical support and protection of public speeches by pro-Kremlin party representatives, primarily in the centre of the capital.
- This year, in August, the fugitive ex-MP was finally notified of suspicion of war propaganda and violent change of the constitutional order. And in November, Kyva was sentenced in absentia to 14 years in prison with property confiscation. He was found guilty under four articles of the Criminal Code.