Article 258-5 CCU: Financing Terrorism (Support for "DPR"/"LPR")

Legal Qualification of Financial and Material Support to Terrorist Groups

Article 258-5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (CCU) establishes liability for financing terrorism — actions aimed at providing financial or material support to a terrorist group, organization, or for the preparation or commission of a terrorist act. In the context of Russian aggression, this article is applied to prosecute individuals providing financial, material, organizational, or any other assistance to illegal armed formations, in particular the so-called "DPR" and "LPR", which are recognized in Ukraine as terrorist organizations.

Key Provisions of Article 258-5 (CCU)

Part 1 (Basic Composition): Financing terrorism (Imprisonment from 5 to 8 years with confiscation).
Part 2 (Qualified Composition): Same actions committed repeatedly, by prior agreement of a group, or on a large scale (Imprisonment from 8 to 10 years with confiscation).
Part 3 (Especially Qualified Composition): Same actions committed by an organized group or on an especially large scale (Imprisonment from 10 to 12 years with confiscation).

Support to Illegal Formations: Any transfer of money, property, food, transport, communications, or other material support to persons or structures that are part of the terrorist organizations "DPR" / "LPR" falls under Article 258-5 CCU, as it facilitates their criminal activities.

Evidence of Violation (Financing of Illegal Armed Groups)

Financial Transfers: Sending funds to accounts associated with illegal armed groups or to individuals involved, for purchasing weapons, uniforms, or sustaining their operations.
Material and Technical Assistance: Providing fuel, repairing military equipment, offering facilities for base operations, and transferring vehicles.
Recruitment and Logistics: Paying for travel, housing, and food for persons traveling to participate in illegal armed groups.

Examples from Practice

Transfers via cryptocurrency or bank payments intended for acquiring weapons and ammunition for the "LPR" formation.
Provision of fuel and spare parts to maintain combat equipment of illegal armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Organization of shelters and logistical support for fighters, including renting premises and transporting personnel, confirmed by documents and witness testimony.

Connection with Other Articles

Article 260 CCU (Formation of Illegal Formations) — in cases of organizational support.
Article 111-1 CCU (Collaboration Activities) — if support is provided by officials or government representatives.
Article 111 CCU (High Treason) — if financing is carried out by a Ukrainian citizen harming state sovereignty.

Legal Consequences

Article 258-5 CCU imposes strict penalties for financially fueling illegal aggression. Of particular importance is the confiscation of property, which allows seizing assets used or obtained through financing terrorism. The application of this article helps to curb economic support for terrorist structures and hold organizers and participants accountable.

Article 258-5. Financing Terrorism