Photo: Office of the Prosecutor General
The Security Service of Ukraine exposed and detained a Russian agent who was working in Donetsk region under the guise of a volunteer of the UN World Food Programme. He was a 34-year-old local resident who was recruited by the occupiers to collect data on Ukrainian defensive positions on the outskirts of Pokrovsk. This was reported by the TimeUkraineIsrael portal with reference to the SSU press service.
Covering up volunteering for espionage
The Russian agent moved around the district centre and neighbouring settlements under the guise of humanitarian activity, collecting coordinates of Ukrainian troops’ positions. His main task was to track the location of Ukrainian infantry and artillery units that were actively holding the line in the area with the highest concentration of enemy attacks.
Transfer of intelligence to the FSS
According to the information gathered, the traitor used a messenger to transmit coordinates and other intelligence to an FSS officer, who has already been identified by the SSU. Russian troops used this information to plan attacks on the defenders of Pokrovsk using aerial bombs and FPV drones.
Operational detention and preventive measures
The SSU CI tracked the agent’s actions at an early stage of his intelligence activities, which helped prevent threats to Ukrainian positions. Simultaneously with the detention of the spy, Ukrainian special services took comprehensive measures to protect the positions of the Defence Forces.
During the searches, the detainee’s mobile phone with an anonymous chat room was seized, through which he kept in touch with his FSS handler.
Criminal liability and the prospect of a sentence
Based on the obtained evidence, the SSU served the agent a notice of suspicion under Part 2 Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law). The offender is currently in custody and faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The operation was carried out by the SSU officers in Donetsk and Luhansk regions under the procedural supervision of the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
