The Security Service of Ukraine has exposed and detained an agent of the Russian Military Intelligence Directorate, who was planning and carrying out espionage activities in the Chernihiv region
This operation once again demonstrates the high level of counteracting internal and external threats originating from Russia and emphasizes the importance of counterintelligence measures under current conditions of military aggression. The SBU’s counterintelligence successfully conducted an operation resulting in the detention of a Russian agent involved in collecting secret data regarding Ukrainian military formations in the border districts of Chernihiv region. According to official sources within the security agencies, the detained individual — a 42-year-old resident of the region — managed to establish contacts with representatives of the Russian GRU. The man was working in the interests of Russian special services, executing their illegal tasks, including identifying and transmitting coordinates of checkpoints, command and observation posts, and logistical centers of Ukrainian forces in the northern part of the country. According to SBU representatives, the agent was seeking a "easy way to earn money," which led him to cooperate with the Russians by opening communication channels via messengers. His Russian handlers provided him with clear instructions on reconnaissance, focusing on main routes of movement and locations of Ukrainian military personnel and equipment. To facilitate this, he installed covert data collection on his mobile phone specifically for recording and transmitting information to the enemy. SBU operatives tracked all his actions, conducted searches, and seized the mobile device used for communication with the enemy. During the investigative actions, it was established that the detainee actively collected intelligence in the border areas, particularly while present at Ukrainian military deployment sites. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of his activities and possible connections with Russian special services groups. The detainee is currently in custody. A criminal case has been initiated against him under the article that stipulates treason (Part 2, Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). He faces the harshest penalty — life imprisonment with confiscation of property. This is another victory for Ukrainian counterintelligence in the fight against Russian agents who seek to destabilize the situation and obtain information that could threaten national security. This detention is part of a recent series of counterintelligence measures. Just the day before, on May 19, in Kyiv, SBU officers detained a 17-year-old youth, whom Russian special services recruited to assist in preparing a terrorist act. Security personnel thwarted the attacker, who had received instructions and was planning to blow up an administrative building of the Kyiv Territorial Defense, exemplifying the successful work of Ukrainian security agencies during the war. In light of these events, the importance of continuous efforts to identify and neutralize enemy espionage networks is reinforced to reduce their ability to carry out subversive activities in our country. Effective cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the public remains crucial, as ensuring Ukraine’s national security and sovereignty requires a high level of vigilance and swift response to any signs of hostile sabotage.