The Security Service of Ukraine has apprehended two agents of russian military intelligence (‘the GRU’) who were operating in Kharkiv region. They adjusted russian missile and bomb attacks on the city and its suburbs.

According to the investigation, the perpetrators are a local unemployed man and his partner. They posed as volunteers helping stray animals.

The agents even set up an improvised ‘shelter’ in their backyard. Under the guise of searching for abandoned animals, they travelled around the area and recorded geolocations for enemy strikes.

Potential targets included reserve bases and checkpoints of the Defence Forces, as well as medical facilities where wounded Ukrainian soldiers were being treated.

The traitors also elicited some information during conversations with local residents whom they met during the reconnaissance sorties.

The agents passed the obtained intelligence by phone to their acquaintance, a militant fighting on the eastern front and cooperating with the russian GRU.

The SSU Counterintelligence uncovered the agent couple at an early stage, documented their crimes and detained them at their home. Simultaneously, action was taken to protect the positions of the Defence Forces.

According to the investigation, the GRU recruited both assets remotely through their fellow villager, who has been fighting against Ukrainian troops in eastern Ukraine since 2014.

During the searches, the SSU seized mobile phones with evidence of their communication with the enemy.

SSU investigators have notified the detainees of suspicion under Articles 28.2, 111.2 of the CCU (high treason, committed by a group, under martial law).

The suspects are in custody and face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

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