The SSU Counterintelligence has carried out a multi-stage special operation to dismantle an intelligence network of the main directorate of the general staff of russia’s armed forces (known as the ‘GRU’) in Kharkiv oblast.

As a result of the operation, the SSU detained one of the most secretive agents of the enemy group, who collected intelligence on defence of Kharkiv and the adjacent border areas.

The SSU had exposed three other members of this group in August 2022 and in February 2023, including a ‘liaison’ of russia’s military intelligence agency.

This time, the detained enemy asset is a 52-year-old Kharkiv resident, recruited by the GRU at the onset of the full-scale invasion.

On the aggressor’s instructions, he spied on temporary bases of Ukrainian troops involved in the defence of the eastern borders.

Primarily, the agent was interested in number of personnel, weapons and precise coordinates of the AFU and Border Guard units.

He also recorded directions of movement of Ukrainian military equipment and locations of defence fortifications.

To do this, the spy drove in the oblast and covertly took georeferenced photos of Ukrainian targets.

The collected data were transmitted via a messenger app to a GRU employee in russia.

To hide ‘traces’ of his communication with the aggressor, the traitor immediately deleted all messages sent to the enemy military intelligence.

However, the SSU Counterintelligence identified the russian agent and documented his activities.

SSU investigators served the offender a notice of suspicion of high treason committed under martial law (Article 111.2 of the CCU).

The suspect is in custody, facing life imprisonment. The investigation is ongoing.

The SSU Kharkiv Office carried out the operation jointly with the State Border Guard Service under the procedural supervision of Kharkiv Region Prosecutor’s Office.