In Odesa, the SSU Counterintelligence has exposed an agent of the GRU (the main directorate of the general staff of the russian armed forces). The spy reconnoitered the Defence Forces’ positions in the region.

To disguise his reconnaissance and sabotage activities, he took a job as a driver for a local branch of an international charity organization.

Acting undercover, the Odesa resident drove around the city trying to identify key fortifications and other sites where Ukrainian Armed Forces units were based.

The enemy was also interested in the routes of movement of Ukrainian troops towards the southern front.

According to the investigation, the aggressor’s accomplice is a local resident who, as early as 2014, was active in pro-russian organizations acting on the instructions of russian intelligence services. But then, after the failure of the kremlin’s ‘russian spring’ project in Odesa region, the handlers put their asset on standby.

Shortly after 24 February 2022, a GRU agent, head of an intelligence network, contacted and activated him, instructing to gather intelligence in Odesa.

To communicate with the occupiers, the informant used pre-arranged channels via messenger apps.

During the search, the SSU seized weapons with ammunition and a mobile phone with evidence of his communication with the aggressor.

SSU investigators served the detainee a notice of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

• 114-2.3 (unauthorized dissemination of information on sending, transfer of weapons, armaments and ammunition to Ukraine, movement, transfer or deployment of the AFU);
• 263.1 (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives).

The suspect is in custody, facing up to 12 years in prison.

As the investigation revealed, the network head who was in touch with the apprehended agent was also the supervisor of the saboteur detained by the SSU last year. Following the SSU’s investigation, in May 2023 the court sentenced the saboteur to life imprisonment.

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