A private entrepreneur from Kharkiv specializing in transporting goods to neighboring countries was recruited by Russian FSB Federal Security Service agents, but will not be held accountable because he voluntarily confessed to Ukraine’s SBU State Security Service.
The SBU’s press center said the man was recruited in April last year during cargo clearance at Russian customs. Threatening confiscation of cargo and a vehicle, as well as bringing to criminal responsibility in a fabricated case, FSB officers forced the entrepreneur to sign a cooperation agreement.
“The man was coerced into collecting information about the locations, number and routes of movement of the Ukrainian military in border areas, information about the personal composition of border patrols and SBU agents assigned to these units. He was expected to pass on the information to Russian agents during trips abroad,” the SBU’s press center said.
Upon returning to Ukraine, the entrepreneur immediately contacted Kharkiv’s SBU office and told them what had happened.
“Such cases are not unique … The Security Service recalls that, in accordance with Part 2 of Article 110 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, citizens who have not taken any action in pursuance of the criminal task of a foreign state, organization or their representatives and voluntarily inform the state authorities about connection with a hostile intelligence service are exempt from criminal liability,” the SBU’s press center said.
