MOSCOW, November 16. /TASS/. Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched criminal proceedings against a Russian citizen suspected of involvement as a mercenary in the armed conflict in the southeast of Ukraine, IC spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko has told TASS.

"The IC’s division responsible for investigating crimes related to the use of prohibited means and methods of warfare has brought criminal charges against Dmitry Fedotov under part 3 of article 359 of the Criminal Code (Participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict or combat operations)," Petrenko said.

Fedotov, she explained, was a member of the volunteer battalion Aidar. He had undergone special instruction and training for sabotage. The course was run by US instructors.

"In 2015 for the purpose of obtaining material gains he participated in combat operations against the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic as a member of the above-mentioned nationalist battalion," Petrenko said.

According to the investigators Fedotov back in April 2014 left the city of Kingisepp, the Leningrad Region, leaving his wife and two underage children. He went to Kiev for participation in anti-government protests.

"All of the suspect’s addresses have been searched. Some searches were conducted in St. Petersburg, and the Leningrad, Arkhangelsk and Omsk regions. Items and documents of importance to the criminal investigation were gathered," Petrenko said.

Investigators are now trying to establish Fedotov’s whereabouts. Other search and detective measures are being taken.