In Kyiv, the SSU detained a russian citizen who was preparing a missile and drone attack on the AFU Air Defence bases.

The aggressor intended to target radar stations and air defence missile systems that protect Kyiv region.

The agent was supposed to find these weapons and adjust enemy strikes on them.

He received this assignment from the russian military intelligence, for which he started working back when living in Murmansk before the full-scale aggression.

To carry out the enemy instructions, he arrived in Ukraine on the eve of 24 February 2022 under a cover of a seller of household chemicals, fuel and lubricants.

For a long time, the man was on stand-by, a ‘sleeper agent’ settling in a new place and promoting his business cover.

According to the SSU Military Counterintelligence, the russian intelligence service activated its agent in the autumn of 2023.

Under the pretext of commercial trips, he drove around Kyiv and Cherkasy regions and tried to detect air defence batteries and radar stations.

The spy was especially interested in NASAMS and Patriot missile systems.

To track possible positions of Ukrainian troops, the asset used marine binoculars and high-resolution monoculars. He also installed a hidden video camera in his car.

The agent was supposed to pass the data in the form of media files and geolocations of the targets to his russian handler. The enemy planned to use the information to launch simultaneous air strikes on these locations in Ukraine.

However, the SSU Military Counterintelligence thwarted the aggressor’s plans. The suspect’s actions were documented and he was detained in his Kyiv apartment. Action was taken to protect Ukrainian troops.

During the search, the SSU seized the optical equipment from the detainee, which he used to track the Defence Forces.

The investigators also found russian passports and rubles that the perpetrator received for his work for the GRU.

The SSU has identified his handler, who is a serving officer of the main directorate of the general staff of the russian armed forces.

Pre-arranged channels in messenger apps were used for communication.

SSU investigators have served the detainee a notice of suspicion under Article 114-2.3 of the CCU (unauthorized dissemination of information on directing, movement of weapons, armaments and ammunition to Ukraine, movement, transfer or deployment of the AFU, committed under martial law).

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

The operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of the Specialized Defence Prosecutor’s Office of the Central Region.