Binance Hands Over User Data in Support of Ukrainian Donations Investigation
Crypto exchange Binance handed over personal data and transaction history of Russian IT specialist Yuri Belenko to Russian security forces, which was used to accuse him of donating to support Ukraine's Armed Forces.
Belenko made cryptocurrency transfers worth over $700 between January 2023 and March 2024 after appeals by opposition journalist Arkady Babchenko.
The funds were sent to help the Azov brigade. To identify the donor, Russian investigators contacted Binance via a special email address for Russian security forces, after which the exchange sent a full dossier on Belenko: his photo, personal identification number, phone number, address and confirmation of transactions.
Belenky was detained in September 2025 and currently awaits trial. He faces imprisonment or life imprisonment under the article on 'financing terrorism.'