The SSU in Zakarpattia has detained a GRU agent who was gathering information on defence enterprises
The Counter-Intelligence Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine has detained a Russian military intelligence agent in Zakarpattia. According to the case file, he was an employee of a local factory who had been recruited by the Russian special services.
The investigation established that the man was gathering information on enterprises in western Ukraine that fulfil defence contracts. In particular, he was interested in the addresses of companies, types of products and production volumes.
The suspect also compiled a database of employees at these enterprises. According to the SBU, he collected personal data on staff and details regarding the operational procedures of the facilities.
According to available information, Russian military intelligence planned to use the information obtained by the agent to prepare air strikes against enterprises in Ukraine’s defence-industrial complex and to organise terrorist attacks against company officials, in particular design engineers.
To carry out his tasks, the man, under the pretext of professional interest, communicated with his former colleagues who currently work at defence industry enterprises. During these conversations, he attempted to obtain information about the latest developments and the specialists involved in their development.
Investigators established that he passed the information he had gathered to Russian military intelligence via his father, who lives in Kaliningrad and collaborates with the Russian secret service.
According to the investigation, the agent subsequently planned to take up employment at another defence enterprise to continue gathering information for the benefit of the aggressor state.
It has also been established that during potential strikes on the facilities whose coordinates he had passed on, his handlers promised to warn him of the danger using code words in a messaging app.
SBU counter-intelligence officers prevented him from taking up employment at another defence industry enterprise and took measures to protect the relevant facilities.
During a special operation, the man was detained at his place of residence. During a search, law enforcement officers seized mobile phones containing evidence of collaboration with Russian intelligence.
In addition, weapons and ammunition were found in the detainee’s possession. Law enforcement agencies are currently establishing their origin.
Investigators from the Security Service informed the man that he was suspected under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine of treason committed under martial law.
If found guilty, he faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The operation was carried out by officers of the SBU Directorate in Zakarpattia Oblast under the procedural supervision of the regional prosecutor’s office.
