Collaborator Linked to Torture of Ukrainians Killed in Berdyansk

A collaborator accused of passing information about pro-Ukrainian residents to Russian forces has been killed in the Russian-occupied city of Berdyansk, according to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (DIU).

The individual was identified as Mykhailo Pavlovych Hrytsai, who previously headed the local branch of the Socialist Ukraine party before Russia’s invasion.

Following the occupation of Berdyansk by Russian troops, Hrytsai voluntarily joined the Russian-installed administration, serving as the so-called “temporary mayor” and “deputy for infrastructure, housing and utilities, and the fuel and energy sector.”

DIU reported that Hrytsai was directly involved in war crimes, including helping to identify and detain pro-Ukrainian residents and participating in the organization of torture facilities in the city.

He had been charged in absentia with high treason under Part 2 of Article 111 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code on April 1, 2022.

DIU said that those involved in crimes against Ukrainian citizens would face retribution.

Invaders’ Eliminations in Occupied Berdyansk

Ukrainian intelligence previously reported the killing of Yevhen Yuriyovych Bohdanov, described as the “deputy head” of the Berdyansk occupation administration.

Bohdanov was reportedly responsible for financial oversight and constructing fortifications in Russian-held areas of the Zaporizhzhia region.

According to Ukrainian authorities, he arrived in Berdyansk shortly after its occupation in 2022 and was appointed to the administration by Russian security services.