The Security Service exposed another agent of the Russian special services in Mykolaiv. The perpetrator collected intelligence about the Armed Forces near the Black Sea waters.
Military ships of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and commercial vessels of the Ukrainian fleet exporting agricultural products were under the Russia's special attention.
To track the locations of Ukrainian vessels, the perpetrator installed several webcams on technological structures near the local port.
After installing the video devices, they were supposed to provide continuous online streaming of maritime and river traffic with remote access to the Russian special services.
However, the SSU agents timely detected and deactivated the hidden video devices. The perpetrator was caught in the act while attempting to install another webcam overlooking the river waters.
Thus, the Security Service prevented the transfer of reconnaissance information to the occupiers, which they planned to use for targeted air strikes on the region.
As the investigation found, another task of the Russian agent was to identify ground objects of the Armed Forces, including military hospitals, training centers, and checkpoints.
According to the investigation, the perpetrator turned out to be an employee of a local company who was remotely recruited by the Russian special services at the end of 2023.
He came under the occupiers' radar due to his activity in pro-Kremlin Telegram channels, where he approved armed aggression against Ukraine.
Subsequently, the agent communicated with his Russian handler through an anonymous chat on a popular messenger.
During the search, the detainee's mobile phone with evidence of his communication with the aggressor was seized. Additionally, the perpetrator was found with tools for installing video cameras and their boxes.
Currently, the SSU investigators have informed him of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (state treason committed under martial law).
The perpetrator is in custody and faces life imprisonment.