Director of "Bandit Petersburg" called for a nuclear strike on Ukraine: SBU has referred the case to court
Nuclear strike on Ukraine: director Volodymyr Bortko will be tried over calls
The Security Service of Ukraine has completed the pre-trial investigation and on 5 October 2026 published data regarding the Russian director, screenwriter and former deputy of the Russian State Duma Vladimir Bortko, who publicly supports Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. SBU investigators have already forwarded the indictment to the court. Under the charged articles, Bortko faces up to 8 years imprisonment with confiscation of property.
According to the investigation, the individual publicly called to continue the war against Ukraine, denied Ukrainian statehood and advocated the use of tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine. Vladimir Bortko is known as the director and screenwriter of the Russian TV series “Bandit Petersburg” and “Streets of Broken Lights”. Alongside his work in film, he engaged in political activity and supported the Kremlin regime.
During the investigation, SBU officers documented numerous episodes of his public statements throughout 2017–2026. In particular, on the air of the radio “Komsomolskaya Pravda” Bortko once again called for a nuclear strike on Ukraine. He also advocated for the capture of Kyiv, and thereafter the entire territory of Ukraine.
On the basis of the collected evidence, Bortko was charged under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- Art. 436 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – propaganda of war;
- Part 3 of Art. 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – production and dissemination of materials that justify, recognize as lawful, or deny the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, committed repeatedly and using mass media.
Since the suspect is on the territory of the Russian Federation, Ukrainian law enforcement continues comprehensive measures to bring him to account. The investigation was conducted by SBU officers under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Earlier we wrote:
