Counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine conducted a multi-stage special operation, as a result of which another Russian espionage network was neutralized in Donetsk region.
A distinctive feature of the hostile group was that it consisted exclusively of local women who supported the armed aggression of Russia against Ukraine.
The criminals simultaneously worked for the FSB and the private military company "Wagner".
Upon the occupiers' instructions, their accomplices gathered intelligence information about the quantity and redeployment of military equipment of the Armed Forces within the region.
Primarily, they attempted to identify and disclose to the aggressor the flight routes of the Ukrainian Air Force, including strike helicopters near Avdiivka.
They were also interested in the routes of movement of heavy armored vehicles of the Ukrainian military from the frontline territories to the forward positions.
To gather intelligence information, the individuals toured the area and covertly took photographs of Ukrainian objects.
All the obtained information was transmitted through two communication channels - to the Russian "curator" from the FSB and to the representative of the "Wagner" group.
They used encrypted chats in one of the popular messengers for communication.
SSU officers detained three participants of the Russian espionage during their collection of intelligence.
Furthermore, the identity of the senior resident of the hostile group was established, who had traveled to Russia at the beginning of the full-scale invasion to coordinate the activities of her "protégées" from the territory of the aggressor country.
According to the investigation, all four Russian agents are residents of Pokrovsk district. Prior to February 24, 2022, they were recruited by the occupiers and had been in a "waiting mode" until recently.
During searches at the addresses of the individuals, mobile phones used by them in their intelligence and subversive activities in favor of Russia were discovered.
They have been remanded in custody as a preventive measure. In addition, there are plans to notify the fourth suspect, who is evading justice in Russia, of the charges.
The investigation is ongoing. The criminals could face life imprisonment.
