The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has detained three Russian military intelligence assets whose main task was to coordinate Russian missile strikes on Kyiv, targeting defense plants and arms depots, the SBU press office reported.
It was established that the perpetrators had been acting separately, while being supervised by the same handler, a Russian military intelligence operative who previously had been identified.
One of the three assets is a Russian national, described as a “sleeper spy”, who was activated after the full-scale invasion.
To help target Russian strikes, the one of the accused set up an observation post on the roof of a Kyiv high-rise. To gain access to the spot, he allegedly exploited his friendship with a representative of an apartment block management, who had keys to the premises.
The other two charged perpetrators are current and former employees of Ukrainian defense companies. One of them is accused of gathering sensitive data about the consequences of missile hits, the number of personnel at factories, repair bases, etc., while the other is said to have received information on potential targets from his colleagues, keeping them oblivious about his intentions.
Counterintelligence operatives detained the suspects after thoroughly documenting their criminal activity.
During the raids, SBU officials seized computer equipment and mobile phones with intelligence reports, as well as a quad-copter, one of the alleged agents is said to have planned to use to spy on defense facilities.
The SBU has charged the Russian assets with high treason, along with aiding and abetting the enemy.
At least two of the suspects are to be held in custody without bail.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, a Russian military intelligence asset who was convicted of plotting the killing of Ukrainian soldiers in Chernihiv region was sentenced to 15 years in prison.