The Counterintelligence Unit of the SSU Kharkiv Office exposed a local resident who was recruited by Russian special services.

The SSU officers established that the individual became involved in confidential cooperation when he went to Russia for work. The hostile service used threats and psychological pressure to force him to cooperate.

The Ukrainian citizen was instructed to collect and pass defence-related intelligence to Russians, in particular information on military facilities in Kharkiv region, their location, personnel, strength, weapons, security and protection systems.

The Russians forced him to carry out their assignments threatening to use repressive measures against his relatives who remained in Russia.

Due to prompt response, the SSU prevented passing of intelligence to the aggressor state.

Criminal proceedings have been opened under Article 111.1 (treason in the form of espionage) of the CCU. The exposed individual was notified of suspicion.

The SSU carried out the operation under the supervision of Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.

We would like to remind that, according to Article 111.2 of the CCU, citizens of Ukraine who have not committed any acts tasked by foreign special services and voluntarily reported to law enforcement about these connections and the assignments given shall be exempted from criminal liability. Treason is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.