The Security Service of Ukraine thwarted a new attempt by Russian agents to launch a fire strike on the locations of the Armed Forces in the Odessa region. Among the main targets of the aggressor were the command headquarters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the southern direction.
To carry out the task, the FSB involved two of its agents - citizens of one of the South Caucasus countries residing in Odessa. At the direction of the Russian special services, these individuals conducted reconnaissance of the locations of Ukrainian troops to pinpoint their coordinates on Google Maps. After determining the geolocation of the "necessary" objects, the agents gathered as much information as possible about the personnel stationed there, military equipment, and operational specifics. In this way, they hoped to identify command posts and combat units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to report back to the FSB. To collect intelligence, Russian agents roamed the streets of the regional center and covertly identified potential "targets." Additionally, they "undercover" used their connections among local residents to obtain information about Ukrainian military personnel.
The individuals also established a public organization in the city, which operated under the guise of providing assistance for the legalization of foreign citizens in Ukraine. However, in reality, within the walls of this organization, the foreigners attempted to recruit informants into their own network. In case of obtaining intelligence, the occupiers planned to carry out a series of targeted missile-drone strikes on military infrastructure and positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. After completing the task, the agents hoped to be accepted into the FSB.
However, the Security Service of Ukraine prevented the implementation of their criminal intentions, as they exposed the accomplices of the aggressor at the initial stage of their reconnaissance and subversive activities. Subsequently, the SSU conducted phased documentation, which allowed for the complete tracking of the movement routes of the perpetrators and their detention when conducting reconnaissance near one of the objects. At the scene of the detention, the perpetrators' phone, which they used solely for communication with the FSB, was seized.
Investigators of the Security Service informed both perpetrators of the suspicion under Part 3 of Article 114-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (unauthorized dissemination of information about the location of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in conditions of martial law).
Currently, they are in custody, facing up to 12 years in prison.
