Counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine has foiled a new attempt by Russia to establish its own spy cells in Kyiv, Poltava, and Chernihiv.
As a result of a special operation in the capital region, the SSU detained a senior agent (resident) of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (better known as the GRU) and one of his accomplices.
The detainees were two residents of Kyiv region who began working for the Russian intelligence service for money.
Under the orders of the occupiers, the individuals involved were correcting Russian missile and drone strikes and preparing arson attacks on power substations and vehicles of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (ZSU).
To carry out their tasks, the perpetrators set up an observation post in a rented apartment in a Kyiv high-rise building with a panoramic view of potential targets—critical infrastructure facilities.
In this apartment, the agents installed video cameras with remote access software, which allowed the GRU to monitor the streets of Kyiv online.
In this way, they hoped to capture the aftermath of airstrikes on the city and identify air defense positions to correct new attacks.
With a similar task, the sabotage group traveled to Poltava and Chernihiv. There, they first conducted reconnaissance near energy facilities and then planned to create their own cells in both cities.
To do this, they attempted to recruit local residents who were looking for "easy money." The individuals involved posted relevant ads in Telegram channels controlled by Russian intelligence.
Another task for the new members of the Russian spy network was to set fire to service vehicles of employees of the Territorial Recruitment Centers (TCC) and power transformers in three regions of Ukraine.
The SSU preemptively uncovered the organizer of the spy network and his accomplice and detained them.
During searches, video devices, phones, and SIM cards with evidence of subversive activities in favor of Russia were seized from the suspects.
Currently, SSU investigators have informed both detainees of their suspicion under Part 1 of Article 14, Part 2 of Article 113 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (preparation to commit sabotage under martial law).
The criminal actions of the organizer of the enemy group were additionally qualified under Part 1 of Article 14, Part 1 of Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (preparation to commit actions that hinder the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations during a special period).
The perpetrators are in custody. They face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
