The Security Service thwarted another attempt by the FSB to obtain up-to-date information about Ukrainian troops in Odesa region.
The enemy was most interested in the geolocation of air defense missile systems and radar stations that defend the sea and coast of the southern region.
Special attention was also paid to telecommunications facilities in Odesa region.
To identify the coordinates of the Defense Forces’ combat positions and strategic infrastructure facilities, the Russian intelligence service used its agent from the regional center.
The offender acted under the guise of the head of a local company that employs seafarers on fishing and merchant vessels.
On the instructions of the aggressor, the agent purposefully traveled around the region and covertly recorded the locations of possible deployment of the Defense Forces.
He immediately “reported” the information he received in the form of text messages and marks on Google maps to the FSB.
In case of receiving the confirmed coordinates of the Armed Forces units, the occupiers planned to carry out targeted missile and drone strikes against them.
The SBU became aware of such plans of the aggressor and exposed the Russian agent in a timely manner, documenting every step of his intelligence activity.
Thanks to the SBU’s prompt response, the offender was detained “red-handed” while conducting additional reconnaissance near a potential target.
The SBU also took comprehensive measures to protect Ukrainian troops.
During the searches, the SBU found fake IDs of a representative of the “newspaper editorial office” and the local “water utility”. It was also established that the agent regularly changed gadgets and SIM cards to conceal criminal activity.
Based on the evidence collected, SBU investigators served the detainee a notice of suspicion under Part 2 Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law).
The offender is in custody. He faces life imprisonment.
The complex operation was conducted by the SBU officers in Odesa region under the procedural supervision of the regional prosecutor.