The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced that it had detained an Air Force officer on suspicion of espionage for Russia. The arrested man is a major and an instructor pilot, who, according to Ukrainian authorities, had provided Russian services with coordinates and information about the location and activities of F-16, Mirage 2000 and Su-24 aircraft, reports "Reuters"
"Among the enemy's priority targets were the air bases where F-16, Mirage 2000 and Su-24 aircraft are located," the SBU statement said. According to him, the detainee provided Russian military intelligence with data on flight schedules, takeoff patterns, as well as information on the personnel and tactics of the Ukrainian aviation.
The American F-16 and the French Mirage 2000 are considered key to strengthening Ukraine's air defense in the face of increased Russian strikes and offensives. The Su-24 is a Soviet bomber still used by the Ukrainian army.
The case comes against the backdrop of increased Russian attacks on Ukrainian military facilities that Moscow suspects are housing Western weapons. Earlier this month, the SBU also detained two Chinese citizens accused of espionage in relation to the Ukrainian anti-ship missile program "Neptune".