The SSU Counterintelligence has detained an agent of russian military intelligence who was spying on civilian and military targets in Kherson region under a cover of a taxi driver.

The perpetrator was monitoring locations of large concentrations of personnel and military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as their fortifications.

To gather the information, the spy posed as a taxi driver and drove around the city in his car, having installed a hidden dashcam.

The ‘driver’ tried to elicit some information during conversations with his passengers. From time to time, even Ukrainian military servicemen used his services.

The enemy asset passed the collected data via a messenger app to the occupiers. They intended to use it to prepare targeted attacks on the city, using artillery and kamikaze drones.

However, the SSU uncovered the aggressor’s plans and prevented their implementation. Action was taken to protect the Ukrainian military and officials of the frontline military administration.

This became possible due to identifying the enemy agent at an early stage of his unlawful activity.

After that, his every step was documented, and he was detained when performing the invaders’ instructions.

In the course of the investigation, the SSU learned the suspect was involved in an attempt to assassinate the head of the local Region Military Administration.

The occupiers attempted to hit the official’s car with an FPV drone using the agent’s coordinates and ‘tips’.

The drone was equipped with a grenade for an RPG-7 hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher, which was supposed to blow up the vehicle in which the official was travelling.

Thanks to the SSU and Ukrainian defenders, the drone was neutralized.

According to the investigation, the traitor is a 55-year-old local resident who worked for russian intelligence remotely, through an acquaintance.

The latter is a former local resident who fled to russia after the full-scale invasion and began working for the russian military intelligence. The SSU has identified him.

Based on the evidence collected, SSU investigators have served the detainee a notice of suspicion under Article 111.2 of the CCU (high treason, committed under martial law).

The suspect is in custody and faces life imprisonment. Efforts are underway to bring to justice his accomplice, who hiding in russia.

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