As a result of a special operation in Mykolaiv oblast, the SSU neutralized another enemy agent network consisting of 13 local residents working for the FSB.

Its members collected intelligence on locations and movements of Ukraine’s Defence Forces in the southern region.

They also adjusted russian air strikes on Mykolaiv’s residential and social infrastructure.

Using their information, russian occupiers hit a multi-storey building in Mykolaiv with an S-300 anti-aircraft missile system in the autumn of 2022.

The enemy strike killed 7 civilians, including a minor child.

The SSU established that the informants had passed coordinates of Ukrainian targets to the FSB through a ‘liaison’ - a pro-kremlin blogger Sergey Lebedev, better known as ‘Lokhmatyi’.

The latter is working for the russian special service as a ‘freelance correspondent’ for moscow’s RIA Novosti news agency and is based in the temporarily occupied Donetsk.

In June 2023, the SSU exposed him on reconnaissance and sabotage activities against Ukraine and notified him of suspicion of high treason and violation of laws and customs of war.

During the investigation of Lokhmatyi, the SSU uncovered that, on the FSB’s instructions, he had remotely set up an agent network in Mykolaiv region.

It consisted of 13 local subscribers to his Telegram channel. It was through this Internet resource that the blogger recruited his assets and then obtained intelligence from them.

As a result of the operation, the SSU identified all members of the enemy group and detained them at different locations.

Based on the collected evidence, SSU investigators served the nine detainees notices of suspicion under Article 114-2 of the CCU (unauthorized dissemination of information on sending, transfer of weapons, armaments and ammunition to Ukraine, movement, transfer or deployment of the AFU). The suspects are currently in custody. Investigations are ongoing.

The court found four other informants guilty and sentenced them to 8 to 15 years in prison.

Lebedev himself is additionally charged under Articles 28.2 and 111.2 of the CCU (high treason committed by an organized group, under martial law).

The suspect is hiding from justice in the temporarily occupied part of eastern Ukraine; efforts are ongoing to bring him to justice.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Mykolaiv region under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.