The SSU Counterintelligence has apprehended an agent of russia’s federal security service in Mykolaiv. He is a 35-year-old recidivist who adjusted enemy air strikes on the Defence Forces in the port city.

According to the investigation, before the start of the full-scale war the individual was serving a sentence for committing serious crimes in a penal institution in Kherson.

After the city was captured, the occupiers transferred the prisoner to one of the colonies in russia, where he was recruited by an FSB officer.

On his instructions, the agent arrived in Mykolaiv through third countries and began to fulfill the enemy’s tasks.

The SSU identified the asset and documented his reconnaissance activities at the initial stage.

The occupiers’ main targets were large concentrations of Ukrainian military personnel and equipment in the frontline city.

To obtain intelligence, the agent walked around the area and secretly photographed the sites of probable presence of Ukrainian defenders.

He also elicited information from his acquaintances during everyday conversations.

The SSU Counterintelligence detained him at his home. Simultaneously, action was taken to secure the locations of the Defence Forces.

During the search, the mobile phone, which the suspect used to contact his russian handler, was seized.

SSU investigators served the detainee a notice of suspicion under Article 114-2.3 of the CCU (unauthorized dissemination of information on movement or location of the AFU or other lawful military formations, committed under martial law).

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

The decision on additional qualification of the perpetrator’s  criminal actions under Article 111.2 of the CCU (high treason, committed under martial law) is pending.

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