During 2023, the Security Service of Ukraine uncovered 47 Russian espionage networks operating at the behest of Russian intelligence agencies, which were plotting sabotage and missile strikes against Ukraine. This was announced by the head of the SSU, Vasyl Maliuk, during the "Ukraine. Year 2024" forum on February 25.
According to Maliuk, since the full-scale invasion began, over 2,000 traitors and approximately 5,000 collaborators have been detained and charged.
Maliuk emphasized that the SSU's focus is on identifying hostile agent groups and traitors rather than individual arrests, utilizing methods from combating organized crime.
"This work continues. There are many surprises ahead, and believe me, the enemy will not pass unnoticed," said the head of the SSU.
Maliuk noted that the largest espionage network was uncovered in the Mykolaiv region, involving 13 individuals.
Additionally, Maliuk mentioned three residents of the Chernihiv and Kyiv regions who, on orders from the Russian FSB, were preparing to target Patriot air defense systems. They were arrested before carrying out these tasks, as they were already assembling strike UAVs and had even completed drone operator courses.
Furthermore, an eight-person espionage network named "Serb," operating in Dnipro, was detained for spying for Russia. According to Maliuk, they collected and transmitted a large amount of information to the enemy, organizing missile strikes, including an attack on a multi-story residential building.
