As a result of a multi-stage special operation in Zaporizhzhia oblast, the SSU Counterintelligence dismantled an agent network of the FSB.

One of the agents is a former military serviceman, and the other - a personal driver of a local high-ranking official.

The group was preparing terrorist attacks against command staff of the Defence Forces and the SSU officers stationed in the region and involved in combat missions on the southern front.

For this purpose, the spies collected information with hourly updates on temporary bases and routes of movement of Ukrainian defenders.

The data were transmitted to the FSB as electronic geolocations, media files and text messages via a secure chat in Telegram messenger.

Using the coordinates provided by the informants, occupiers intended to strike the targets with cruise or ballistic missiles.

The invaders also considered the option of physically eliminating Ukrainian defenders by detonating explosives, which they planned to plant near the Defence Forces’ bases.

To prepare the terrorist attacks, the enemy agents received USD 4,000 of ‘advance’ payment from their FSB handlers.

However, the SSU Counterintelligence worked proactively: the network was uncovered, the criminal actions - documented and the members - detained.

According to the investigation, the head of the group is a resident of Zaporizhzhia, a former military serviceman.

After the start of the full-scale invasion, he asked his brother, who lives in St. Petersburg, to arrange a contact for him with russian special services.

Soon, he was contacted by an FSB officer in a messenger app, who instructed him to conduct reconnaissance and sabotage activities against Ukraine.

The traitor engaged his friend, who worked as a driver for the head of one of Zaporizhzhia’s district administrations, to carry out enemy assignments.

On the FSB’s instructions, the driver used the official without his knowledge, covertly recording his telephone conversations in the car.

The agents also guided the aggressor’s air strikes on bridges and railway crossings in the oblast and were looking for ‘like-minded people’ for potential recruitment to their group.

During the searches of the suspects’ homes, the SSU seized:

• AK-47 Kalashnikov rifle;
• almost 1,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibers;
• combat and smoke grenades with components.

Based on the collected evidence, SSU investigators notified both detainees of suspicion under Articles 28.2 and 111.2 of the CCU (high treason committed under martial law by a group of persons). The court has chosen custody as a measure of restraint for the suspects.

The investigation is underway.

The SSU Office in Zaporizhzhia region carried out the special operation under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.