The SSU has uncovered an informant of russian intelligence services who was gathering information on the movement of the Defence Forces through Kirovohrad oblast.

The perpetrator tried to determine the number of military personnel and equipment of the Armed Forces units moving by rail towards the eastern front.

The enemy was particularly interested in intelligence on the movement of Ukrainian tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and artillery systems to the frontline.

To monitor the AFU’s echelons, the agent set up an observation post in his own garage, located near the railway station.

Pretending to be just ‘going out for a stroll’, he also walked in the area and covertly recorded locations of Ukrainian troops.

To hide his criminal actions, the spy constantly changed the routes of his reconnaissance ‘sorties’ and sent the data to the aggressor from different locations.

However, the SSU identified and detained him.

According to the investigation, the perpetrator is a local resident who had lived in russia for almost 20 years.

Before the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, he came to Ukraine to sell all his property here and return to the aggressor state.

In May 2023, when the man was still in Kirovohrad oblast, he was contacted by an officer of russian intelligence and offered to ‘work’ for the occupiers.

If the asset fulfilled their assignments, the invaders promised to extract him to russia.

An anonymous chat in a messenger app was used for communication.

During the searches of the suspect’s home, the SSU seized mobile phones and computer equipment with evidence of the crime, as well as documents confirming his residence and business activity in russia.

Based on the evidence, SSU investigators have notified the detainee of suspicion under Article 114-2.3 of the CCU (unauthorized dissemination of information on sending, movement of weapons, armaments and ammunition to Ukraine, movement, transfer or deployment of the AFU).

The suspect is in custody and faces up to 12 years in prison.

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