The Security Service of Ukraine’s counterintelligence unit has detained one of Russia’s most deeply covert alleged agents in Kherson, whom Russian forces reportedly recruited at the beginning of the full-scale invasion but kept in a so-called “standby mode.”
The suspect is a former Ukrainian Army Aviation technician who left military service in 2018 and, according to the SSU, joined the FSB’s agent network during the Russian occupation of Kherson in 2022.
After the liberation of the right bank of the Kherson region, Russian forces allegedly left the agent in the regional capital, where he remained dormant for an extended period.
Investigators established that the agent was considered sufficiently important that, before withdrawing from Kherson, Russian forces enrolled him in the Russian-controlled Combat Brotherhood organisation and provided him with a firearm.
The FSB later allegedly “activated” the agent and instructed him to track the locations of Ukrainian forces defending Kherson, which Russia intended to target with guided aerial bombs, drones and rocket artillery.
To carry out the assignment, the suspect allegedly used his knowledge of the area and military experience to drive around in his own vehicle and mark Ukrainian defence facilities on a topographic map.
At the same time, he photographed potential targets with his phone for subsequent reports to the FSB.
SSU officers identified the alleged agent and detained him while he was preparing to transmit intelligence to his FSB handler following another reconnaissance mission.
During searches, investigators seized a smartphone containing alleged evidence of his cooperation with Russia, a firearm presented to him by Russian forces as an “award,” and pro-Kremlin symbols.
SSU investigators charged the suspect under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — high treason committed under martial law. The case has been submitted to court.
The suspect is being held in custody without the right to bail. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
