The counterintelligence unit of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has detained a Russian agent who, on instructions from the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB), collected coordinates for a combined missile and drone strike on the city of Odessa, reports „Ukrinform“, reports News.bg.
To carry out the attack, the Russian side recruited a 52-year-old resident of Odessa, who had previously published calls for „to “takeover“ of the region on the banned social network “Odnoklassniki“ in Ukraine.
After his recruitment, the suspect monitored the positions of Ukrainian radar stations, air defense systems and mobile fire groups that protect the airspace of the region.
During air alerts, he traveled around different areas of Odessa, trying to film the work of Ukrainian air defense systems. In addition, the agent photographed defensive fortifications and locations of Ukrainian military units on the Black Sea coast.
The collected information was passed on to an FSB officer, whose identity has already been established by Ukrainian counterintelligence. During the detention, the SBU seized the spy's smartphone, which contained reports and photos prepared for the Russian side.
Based on the evidence collected, the SBU investigators charged the detainee under Art. 111, para. 2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - treason committed during martial law.
The suspect was detained without bail, and the law provides for life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The SBU also reported that it had previously neutralized another Russian agent who had participated in organizing missile, bomb and drone attacks on Kramatorsk and the surrounding areas.