Russian agent detained over strike coordination
Counterintelligence officers of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) have detained a Russian agent in Lviv who was helping coordinate Russian strikes on Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) facilities, government buildings and military institutions.
The SSU reported this, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.
The investigation established that the Russian intelligence services’ assignments were carried out by an unemployed man from the Dnipropetrovsk region whom they had recruited.
The suspect was found to have worked for two handlers from Russia simultaneously. On the instructions of one of them, the agent was supposed to collect intelligence to prepare strikes on railway infrastructure and administrative buildings of government and military institutions in the Lviv and Kharkiv regions.
To carry out his assignments in western Ukraine, he traveled to Lviv, photographed the exterior perimeters of potential targets with his phone, marked their locations on Google Maps and sent reports to his Russian intelligence handler.
On the instructions of another Russian handler, the agent purchased a can of black spray paint to create provocative graffiti on buildings in Lviv.
The graffiti was to include a reference to a specially created chatbot that Russian intelligence services use to recruit people by promising them “easy” money.
SSU officers detained the agent when he was once again attempting to photograph the facilities.
During searches, officers seized the suspect’s mobile phone, which contained evidence of intelligence gathering and contacts with the enemy.
SSU investigators charged the agent under Part 2 of Article 111 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code – high treason committed under martial law.
The suspect is being held in custody. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
As reported, SSU officers in Rivne region recently detained a Russian spotter who had been placing concealed smartphones near defense facilities targeted for Russian missile and drone strikes.
Photo: SSU
