The Military Counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine neutralized an operational-combat group of Russian military intelligence (GRU) in Odessa. As a result of the special operation, the leader of the enemy cell and his 'right-hand man' were detained in the regional center.
Over 70 firearms with optical sights and ammunition were seized, along with bulletproof vests, helmets, ballistic glasses, and other tactical equipment.
According to instructions from the Russian special services, at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the criminals were preparing for a forceful seizure of state institutions in Odessa region. In addition to storming administrative buildings, the suspects were to attack the Defense Forces from the rear if the occupiers approached the port city.
However, after the failures of the Russian forces at the front, this operational-combat group was placed on standby and activated only in the summer of 2024 when they received secret assignments.
The Security Service of Ukraine thwarted the enemy's plans: it documented the subversive activities and neutralized the group immediately after it was 'activated' by the enemy.
According to the case materials, the resident (senior) of the Russian GRU's agent-combat group was a 49-year-old resident of temporarily occupied Crimea.
After the peninsula was seized, he moved to Odessa, where at the beginning of the full-scale war he began forming operational-combat units under the guise of several civic organizations.
In public, the NGOs dealt with military history, ecology, and law, but in reality, they created underground groups: snipers, reconnaissance, communications, operational support, and one of the main groups—an assault team.
In selecting potential candidates, the suspects preferred citizens with special skills, combat experience, or narrow-profile specialists.
In the event of capturing Odessa, group members were promised 'positions' in the local Russian occupation administration.
Overall, the suspects recruited more than two dozen individuals into the enemy cell, who reported to their leader based on military hierarchy. All of them are currently under investigation, and comprehensive measures are underway to hold them accountable for crimes against Ukraine.
During searches of the suspects, along with weapons and tactical gear, instructions for subversive activities, cold weapons marked with Russian special services logos, and computer equipment containing evidence of crimes were seized. The detainees are in custody and face up to 10 years in prison with asset confiscation.
