Counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine, in cooperation with the Minister of Defense, uncovered another case of Russian espionage at enterprises of Ukraine’s defense-industrial complex.
As a result of comprehensive operations in the Mykolaiv region, a laboratory assistant and a locksmith at a defense plant were detained for working for Russian military intelligence (better known as the GRU).
The investigation found that the agents acted independently and were “leaking” geolocations of production workshops and security information about the facility to the Russian forces.
Russian intelligence operatives also attempted, through these “moles,” to obtain information on the types and presence of defense contracts fulfilled by the enterprise.
Additionally, the suspects reported to their handlers on the results of combined missile-drone attacks on the port city and monitored the location of Ukrainian troops.
SSU officers exposed the Russian intelligence activity and detained both agents during their work shifts.
According to case materials, both suspects came to the attention of Russian military intelligence after posting anti-Ukrainian comments on Telegram channels.
During searches, smartphones were seized from the detainees, containing media files and coordinates of defense facilities targeted by Russian airstrikes.
Based on the collected evidence, investigators of the Security Service charged the agents under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (state treason committed during martial law).
The suspects are being held in custody without the right to bail. They face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
