As a result of a multi-stage special operation, the SSU detained another agent of the main directorate of the general staff of the russian armed forces (aka ‘the GRU’).

The spy collected intelligence for the enemy on the Defence Forces and critical infrastructure facilities in Ukraine’s eastern and western regions.

The aggressor was primarily interested in locations of the units of the Security Service and the State Border Guard Service, as well as precise coordinates of key bridges and power substations in Kharkiv oblast and Bukovyna.

The SSU detained the russian agent in Chernivtsi while he was covertly photographing a military facility.

According to the investigation, the enemy accomplice is a local resident who moved to Kharkiv in 2021 and worked as an internet setup technician.

After the full-scale invasion started, he began to actively spread pro-kremlin narratives on his page in the banned social network Odnoklassniki.

Due to this, in February this year, the man was noticed by the russian military intelligence.

A GRU officer contacted him remotely and offered covert cooperation for the benefit of the aggressor state.

While in Kharkiv, the spy followed his handler’s instructions and collected data on location of checkpoints and fortifications.

He also passed geolocation data of local energy facilities to the occupiers.

Soon, the enemy informant got another assignment - to return to Chernivtsi under the pretext of visiting relatives.

The actual purpose of the ‘trip’ was to spy on the regional SSU office, the border guard detachment and the local military enlistment office.

In addition to that, he was to gather intelligence on the oblast’s transport bridges - their coordinates and protection.

The agent also passed locations of logistics centres and humanitarian aid storage sites to the GRU.

A messenger app was used to transmit intelligence. For each completed assignment, russian military intelligence promised him a monetary ‘reward’ transferred to a bank card.

During the searches at the suspect’s home, the SSU found the mobile phone and laptop that the agent used for reconnaissance and sabotage against Ukraine.

Based on the collected evidence, SSU investigators served the detainee a notice of suspicion under Article 111.2 of the CCU - high treason committed under martial law.

The suspect is in custody. The investigation is ongoing.

The SSU Office in Chernivtsi region conducted the operation under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.