Mobilised deserter turned out to be FSB agent: SSU has detained spotter coordinating strikes on Kyiv. VIDEO+PHOTO
The Security Service’s Military Counter-Intelligence Directorate and the National Police, with the assistance of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, have detained an FSB agent who was gathering information on defence facilities and critical infrastructure to coordinate large-scale attacks on Kyiv between 21 and 24 September this year.
This was reported by Censor.NET, citing the SSU press centre.
Tracking targets for strikes
According to the case file, the perpetrator spent four days tracking potential ‘targets’ in order to direct ‘Geran-5’ type rocket drones and ballistic missiles at the capital.
As a result of the shelling that took place over these days, civilians in the capital were killed and injured. The combined shelling also damaged residential areas in several parts of the city and a maternity hospital.
What is known about the traitor?
As the investigation revealed, the enemy attacks were directed by a Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman who had recently been mobilised in the Ternopil region.
Shortly after being called up, he left his military unit’s base in the Kyiv region without authorisation, settled in one of the capital’s hostels and began looking for ‘easy’ money on Telegram channels.
"He was recruited via the messaging app by a Russian intelligence officer who, in exchange for the promise of ‘quick’ money, instructed him to direct strikes against Kyiv," the SSU explained.
To this end, the agent passed on to Russia the locations of sites which, in his opinion, could be used by the Defence Forces. Following Russian attacks, he would go out into the field to inspect the aftermath of the enemy ‘strikes’.
It is also noted that the suspect prepared arson attacks on Ukrainian defenders’ service vehicles and carried out a reconnaissance mission to the Poltava region to assess the situation there following recent shelling.
Arrest and charges
- SSU officers detained the spotter near his temporary residence. During searches, two smartphones were found in his possession, which he had used to coordinate his actions with the FSB. A flammable mixture was also seized, which he had planned to use to set fire to a Ukrainian soldier’s car.
- Investigators from the Security Service informed the suspect that he was under suspicion under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law).
- The suspect is currently in custody.
- He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
