The statement released by the U.S. Department of the Treasury said, "Russia has directed its intelligence services to recruit current and former Ukrainian government officials to prepare to take over the government of Ukraine and to control Ukraine’s critical infrastructure with an occupying Russian force. At the heart of this effort are Taras Kozak (Kozak) and Oleh Voloshyn (Voloshyn), two current Ukrainian Members of Parliament from the party led by Victor Medvedchuk (Medvedchuk), who is already subject to U.S. sanctions for his role in undermining Ukrainian sovereignty in 2014. Medvedchuk maintains close ties with the Kremlin, and also took part in directing these activities. [...] Kozak, who controls several news channels in Ukraine, supported the FSB’s plan to denigrate senior members of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s inner circle, falsely accusing them of mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, Kozak used his news platforms to amplify false narratives around the 2020 U.S. elections first espoused by U.S.-designated Andrii Leonidovych Derkach (Derkach). Kozak has attempted to legitimatize Derkach’s claims by rebroadcasting Derkach’s false assertions about U.S. political candidates. Throughout 2020, Kozak worked alongside FSB intelligence agents.” On 10 January 2023, Kozak was stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship alongside his associates Medvedchuk and Derkach. Kozak's term as People's Deputy of Ukraine was terminated by parliament on 13 January 2023. Sanctioned by New Zealand in relation to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Awards In 2002 Kozak was awarded the Order of Merit, 3rd degree. See also List of fugitives from justice who disappeared References External links "For life", for Rabinovych, for Medvedchuk. For FSB! («За життя», за Рабіновича, за Медведчука. За ФСБ!). Argumentua. 12 October 2018. 1972 births Living people People from Lviv Oblast Social Democratic Party of Ukraine (united) politicians Opposition Bloc politicians Opposition Platform — For Life politicians Eighth convocation members of the Verkhovna Rada Ninth convocation members of the Verkhovna Rada Recipients of the Order of Merit (Ukraine), 3rd class Fugitives wanted by Ukraine People who lost Ukrainian citizenship Stateless people Expelled members of the Verkhovna Rada