KIEV, May 27 (RAPSI) - Ukrainian Security Service officers have detained an African citizen in the Kharkov region who is suspected of smuggling illegal migrants from Russia, the service reported in a press release on Monday.

"On May 17, officers of the Ukrainian Security Service detained a 27-year-old citizen of a country in southwestern Africa, who accompanied five foreigners walking across the Russian-Ukrainian border," the statement said.

The man may face up to seven years in prison. The illegal migrants - who are citizens of South Asian countries - intended to travel to Ukraine, but did not have necessary documents.

The Ukrainian Security Service's Investigation Department in the Kharkov region launched a criminal case on the illegal smuggling of people across the Ukrainian border. The article envisages from five to seven years in prison for lawbreakers.