Counter-intelligence officers of special service detected facts of recruiting three residents of Sumy region by Russia’s FSB representatives. Among them former law-enforcement officer, teacher and employee of one of the enterprises of the region which is a part of the “UkrOboronProm” concern.

It was established that in all cases involvement of nationals into espionage activities was conducted in the Russia’s territory by known to the SBU counter-intelligence officials of the Russia’s FSB Office in Kursk region. Moreover, they blackmailed, threatened and promised the Ukrainians a monetary reward.

By means of recruited agents Russia’s FSB has tried to get up-to-date intelligence about location of the SBU regional offices stationed in the regional area of military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They also planned to get information about a plant that produces defense products in Sumy region.

All Ukrainians who became the objects of recruitment of the Russian special services voluntarily informed the SBU about these facts.

Currently the urgent investigative and operative actions are under way within the framework of criminal proceeding initiated under Art. 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The SBU counter-intelligence warns that a wide range of Ukrainians remains in the risk zone, being in the increased attention of Russian special services. This includes military officers, law-enforcement officers, ATO(JFO) veterans, representatives of patriotic organisations, ordinary Ukrainian citizens going to Russia or temporarily occupied territories to work, travel or to visit relatives etc.

We remind that under Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine the high treason is punished by 15 years of imprisonment. But a citizen of Ukraine is exempted from criminal liability if he has not committed any act in pursuit of the criminal task and voluntarily declared to the state authorities his connection with the special service of the enemy.