The SSU has detained a member of a village council in Poltava oblast who adjusted russian artillery strikes on positions of Ukrainian Defence Forces on the eastern front.

The official was a close associate of the former MP from the banned Opposition Platform – For Life party, Ilya Kiva; before 24 February 2022, the man had repeatedly approached Kiva asking for help in business matters.

To obtain intelligence on deployment of Ukrainian troops, the village council member used his acquaintances performing combat missions in Donetsk sector, who unwittingly told him certain information.

In remote communication with the servicemen, he obtained data from them on their locations and possible movements on the front line.

The traitor then marked the sites on electronic maps and published this on his Facebook page, which was actively monitored by russian intelligence services.

The aggressor used the intelligence to adjust shelling of Ukrainian positions from cannon and rocket artillery (including Grad multiple rocket launchers).

In addition, the spy posted comments on social media trying to discredit the command staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The investigation established that the official’s provocative posts had been repeatedly picked up by russian TV channels to prepare fake stories on the war in Ukraine.

The enemy accomplice has now been served a notice of suspicion under Article 114-2.2 of the CCU (unauthorized dissemination of information on transfer, movement or location of the AFU or other Ukrainian lawful military formations).

The court has chosen custody without bail as a measure of restraint for the suspect, who is facing up to 8 years in prison. The investigation is ongoing.

The SSU is checking information on the suspect’s possible cooperation with the fugitive MP Kiva after the start of russia’s full-scale invasion.

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