The SSU has thwarted new attempts by the russian military intelligence to obtain strategically important information on Ukraine’s Defence Forces deployed to the north of Kharkiv oblast.

The ruscists wanted to identify the geolocations of the AFU heavy artillery, which fires at the occupiers’ groups trying to capture Vovchansk.

To obtain the intelligence, the GRU engaged its informant, a local businessman.

Under the ‘commercial business’ cover, he drove around the frontline area and covertly recorded coordinates of Ukrainian troops.

The spy also used his colleagues and acquaintances, trying to elicit from them the ‘necessary’ information.

The informant dictated the collected data in voice messages to the russian intelligence, describing in detail the location of Ukrainian defenders with reference to local landmarks.

The aggressor planned to use the information to prepare air and missile strikes.

However, the SSU detected the enemy agent at an early stage and detained him. Action was taken to protect the AFU positions.

Based on the evidence, SSU investigators notified the detainee of suspicion under Article 114-2.2 of the CCU (unauthorized dissemination of information on transfer, movement or location of the AFU, if it is possible to identify them on the ground).

The suspect is in custody and faces up to 8 years in prison.

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