The SSU Counterintelligence has foiled the FSB’s new attempt to form an agent network in Kharkiv oblast. Its members were to facilitate the breakthrough of russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups to seize strategic targets in the region.

The enemy service engaged their agent, a prisoner from a local penal colony who was soon to be released.

On the FSB’s instructions, he recruited other convicts whose sentences were also about to end.

After their release, they were to travel to Kharkiv and nearby border villages and establish the geolocations of Ukrainian checkpoints and fortifications.

The aggressor also hoped to receive from the assets accurate coordinates of key life support facilities and information on their security systems.

The invaders needed the intelligence to prepare sabotage raids in the frontline areas, behind Ukraine’s defensive lines.

However, the SSU disrupted the enemy plans and exposed the agent.

The prisoner was recruited by the FSB while serving a term in the temporarily occupied part of Luhansk region from 2012.

Before russia’s full-scale invasion, he was transferred to a penal colony in Kharkiv region as a resident of Ukraine-controlled territory.

Prior to his transfer, he received instructions from the russian intelligence to carry out reconnaissance and sabotage.

While still in prison, he was to form his agent group. After the release, he was to contact the FSB handler to clarify the orders and deadlines.

SSU investigators have now served the enemy accomplice a notice of suspicion under Article 111.1 of the CCU (high treason).

The operation was carried out by the SSU Main Office in Kyiv and Kyiv region under the procedural supervision of Kyiv Region Prosecutor’s Office.