Ukrainian Intel Detains Soldier in Kyiv Accused of Spying for Russia

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) issued an official video message on Sept. 11, in which press secretary Artem Dekhtyarenko described a complex counterintelligence operation that led to the capture of a Ukrainian soldier accused of spying for Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).

The suspected traitor, a member of the National Guard of Ukraine, was detained in Kyiv. According to Dekhtyarenko, he was engaged in the preparation of Russian air attacks on critical infrastructure facilities in and around the Ukrainian capital.

The suspect was reportedly recruited by the FSB in January of this year, through another Ukrainian, a former serviceman of the National Guard who had left Ukraine for health reasons and took up residence in a European country. There he was approached by the FSB and began working for them. 

While outside of Ukraine, he gave instructions to his former National Guard comrade in Kyiv. The soldier in Kyiv was tasked with communicating the coordinates of thermal power plants in the capital.

In addition, the agent collected information about the technical condition of power facilities and the level of their protection by defense forces.

“According to available data,” the SBU spokesman said, “the invaders needed intelligence to prepare for new air strikes on Kyiv during the period of cold weather.”

The Office of the General Prosecutor reported that the accused had given the Russians detailed information about the territorial protection systems of the Institute for Nuclear Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

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The suspect had also provided detailed information about the territorial protection systems of the Institute of Nuclear Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

He sent the filmed material together with the geolocations of the objects to the former serviceman living abroad, who in turn sent it to his FSB handler. For each completed task, the suspects received from $100 to $1,000.

The special operation was carried out by SBU officers in Kyiv and the Kyiv region under the procedural guidance of the Kyiv regional prosecutor’s office.

During searches of the suspect’s place of residence in the capital, computer equipment and a mobile phone were found with evidence of spying for the Russian Federation.

The detained soldier is in custody and faces life imprisonment. The soldier hiding abroad, who issued instructions on behalf of the FSB, was charged in absentia.