Finnish Authorities Arrest Leader of Terrorist Group "Rusich"
In Finland, a prominent figure within the Russian terrorist organization "Rusich" has been apprehended and is currently in custody under the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies.
This development was reported by the Finnish news outlet MTV Uutiset.
The individual detained in Finland is Yan Igorevich Petrovskiy, who is subject to sanctions imposed by both the European Union and the United States. As per the European Union's sanction list, Petrovskiy held a leadership role and commanded the terrorist group "Rusich." The organization is known to have affiliations with mercenaries from the notorious "Wagner" terrorist group.
Within the European Union, Petrovskiy is believed to bear responsibility for actions that undermine Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and national security. Members of "Rusich" were involved in the conflict on Russia's side during the Ukraine crisis. The Finnish authorities have arrested Petrovskiy on suspicion of committing terrorist acts that occurred between June 2014 and August 2015 in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.
According to information from the US Department of the Treasury, Petrovskiy assumed the role of commanding the forces of "Rusich" in 2022. Previously, the group was led by Alexey Milchakov, who also fell under sanctions. Officials from the United States assert that Petrovskiy took on a leading role after Milchakov was wounded during battles in Kharkiv, Ukraine, in 2022.
The arrest of Petrovskiy is scheduled to be discussed in the Ita-Uusimaa District Court later today. Information provided by the Central Criminal Police suggests that law enforcement is seeking to extend his detention "to facilitate extradition proceedings and the surrender of the alleged offender." Ukraine has made a request for Petrovskiy's extradition.
The Russian national detained in Finland denies any involvement in the terrorist crimes attributed to him in Ukraine. Yan Petrovskiy was born in the Soviet Union but spent many years in Norway during his youth, where he gained notoriety due to his far-right associations.
Petrovskiy was associated with the Norwegian organization "Soldiers of Odin," among other affiliations. Norwegian media outlets have reported his involvement in the Syrian conflict as part of an ultra-right group aligned with President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Norway deported Petrovskiy to Russia in 2016 due to security concerns.
In 2017, Petrovskiy gave an interview to the Russian news website Meduza, in which he identified himself as a Russian nationalist and patriot. He claimed to have met Alexey Milchakov in 2011 and joined separatist forces in Eastern Ukraine in 2014. Petrovskiy acknowledged his role in founding the association "Rusich."
The Ita-Uusimaa District Court has ruled that the 36-year-old Russian suspect in terrorist crimes committed in Ukraine will remain in custody.