Counterintelligence and investigators from the Security Service of Ukraine have detained a foreign FSB agent in Kyiv. The suspect turned out to be a former military instructor from one of the European countries who had been recruited by the Russians.
According to the investigation, the foreigner was passing classified information about Ukraine’s Defense Forces to the Russians and was preparing to carry out terrorist attacks. At the beginning of 2024, the man, who had professional skills in firearms and tactical training, arrived in Ukraine to work as an instructor training mobilized soldiers.
A few months later, he quit his job and began offering his services to Russian intelligence services in search of “easy money.” He posted “advertisements” in various pro-Kremlin online groups.
Soon after, an FSB officer contacted him and, following recruitment, began assigning him tasks.
In particular, the agent passed on to the Russians:
- information about foreign instructors of the Defense Forces with whom he had previously communicated;
- coordinates of Ukrainian Armed Forces training centers in southern Ukraine where he had conducted training.
To prepare for further missions, the Russian forces sent him instructions for making an improvised explosive device, as well as coordinates of a cache where he found a pistol with two loaded magazines. SSU counterintelligence uncovered the collaborator in advance, documented his crimes, and detained him at his temporary residence in the capital.
He has been officially charged under Part 3 of Article 114-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (unauthorized dissemination of information on the deployment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or other military formations during martial law). An investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime and determine additional charges.
The perpetrator is in custody and faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
