The Military Counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine, with the support of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, has thwarted a russian attempt to assassinate the commander of the 3^rd Army Corps of Ukraine’s Defence Forces.

During a pre-emptive operation, the SSU detained an enemy agent who was preparing to coordinate a targeted missile and bomb strike on the location of the Ukrainian general in the combat zone.

According to the investigation, the russian intelligence services recruited a UAV operator from another Ukrainian brigade operating in Kharkiv region to help adjust the planned air attack.

The agent attempted to obtain information about the time and location of the general’s visit to his unit’s positions. He used his access to official information to collect this intelligence and also tried to elicit classified data from fellow servicemen.

In addition, the agent was supposed to provide the occupiers with the locations of his brigade’s headquarters and training centre, which russia intended to strike separately.

The SSU identified the mole at an early stage of his espionage activities. The Service then documented his contacts with russian handlers while simultaneously protecting the Defence Forces locations.

The agent was detained during the final phase of the special operation on the military garrison’s territory. His smartphone, which he used to communicate with the russian operatives, was seized.

Investigators established that russian intelligence recruited the asset through his former wife, who lives in the temporarily occupied part of Zaporizhzhia region and is cooperating with the aggressor state.

To conceal his communication with the enemy, the traitor regularly deleted the messages.

SSU investigators have notified the detainee under Article 111.2 of the CCU – high treason committed under martial law.

The suspect is in custody and faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The operation was conducted under the procedural supervision of the Specialised Defence Prosecutor’s Office.