The SSU continues to strengthen protection of Ukraine’s defence potential. As a result of a special operation in Zaporizhzhia, the SSU blocked an attempt to illegally hand over the latest military technologies subject to state export control to an East Asian country.

For a monetary reward, the spies tried to smuggle secret documentation pertaining to manufacturing engines for fighter jets and combat helicopters.

According to the SSU Counterintelligence, the scheme was organized by a former official of a major defence enterprise in the region. He involved three current employees in the unlawful activity.

These employees secretly copied secret information from work computers and samples of technical documentation.

The organizer planned to pass the obtained data to foreigners through secure electronic communication channels.

According to experts’ preliminary conclusions, in case of getting these technologies, the foreign entity could have established their own production of modernized aircraft engines.

During the searches of the suspects’ offices and homes, the SSU uncovered:

• electronic data carriers with military-related technical documentation;
• communication devices used to contact the foreign ‘customer’;
• USD 30,000, which they received as an advance payment.

The exposed employees will be notified of suspicion under Article 333 of the CCU (violation of procedure for carrying out international transfer of goods subject to state export control). The court is to choose a measure of restraint.

The SSU Office in Zaporizhzhia region carried out the operation under the procedural supervision of Zaporizhzhia Region Prosecutor’s Office.