The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has completed its pre-trial investigation into Russian film director, screenwriter and former Russian State Duma deputy Vladimir Bortko, who has publicly supported Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. The indictment has been sent to court.
The SBU reported this.
According to investigators, Bortko has publicly called for the war to continue, denied Ukrainian statehood and campaigned for the use of tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine.
During the investigation, SBU officers documented numerous episodes of his provocative statements between 2017 and 2026. In particular, on the air of Komsomolskaya Pravda radio, he called for a nuclear strike on Ukraine. Bortko also urged the seizure of Kyiv and later the entire territory of Ukraine.
Bortko is known as the director of the Russian TV series “Banditsky Petersburg” and “Streets of Broken Lights”. He also combined work in film with political activity and support for the Kremlin regime.
Based on the evidence collected, he is accused of:
- Article 436 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – war propaganda;
- Part 3 of Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – producing and distributing materials that justify, recognise as lawful or deny the Russian Federation’s armed aggression against Ukraine, committed repeatedly and using mass media.
As the suspect is on Russian territory, comprehensive measures are under way to bring him to justice.
The articles carry a penalty of up to eight years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The investigation was conducted under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General.