Ukraine's SBU Security Service together with Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office and police in Sumy region have liquidated a channel of international telecommunications controlled from Russia.

According to the SBU's press service, four Sumy region residents via Internet using IP-telephone technology received Russian traffic obviating international communications centers.

"The traffic was processed using special software programs by the telecommunications complex and under the guise of local telephone conversations sent to networks of Ukrainian mobile operators. Telephone communications were thus established, including with users located in temporarily occupied areas of eastern Ukraine," the press release says.

Means for renting the office, as well as payments for this illegal activity, were received by the perpetrators by wire transfer from a Russian firm, the press release says.

During a search of offices and residences of the suspects law-enforcement officers seized computer equipment, "a bank of SIM cards," wifi modems and 150 cards of Ukrainian mobile telephone communications.

The total value of seized equipment comprised more than UAH 500,000.

A criminal case has been opened pursuant to Part 2 of Article 361 (unsanctioned intereference in electronic communications) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Investigative work continues to establish all individuals involved in the illegal activity, as well as to learn whether the activities were connected with Russian special services.