The SSU Military Counterintelligence and investigators conducted a multi-stage special operation to expose a former officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, who decided to defect to the enemy. To show his ‘usefulness’ to ruscists, the individual collected classified information on the leadership and staff of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies.

The defector planned to personally hand over the data on a flash drive to the russian embassy in Budapest. However, the SSU detained him at the checkpoint when he tried to cross the state border.

With the beginning of full-scale aggression, the traitor lived in Bila Tserkva, was an active supporter of the ‘russian world’, but had not only ideological motives. He hoped to become the ‘chief policeman’ of the capital and Kyiv oblast in case the region is captured.

The individual was in direct contact with the russian saboteur Igor Bezler, and also maintained friendly relations with other representatives of the so-called ‘DNR militia’. It was on their ‘tip’ that the spy began to collect classified data on officers of the SSU, Defence Intelligence, leaders of the Azov movement, as well as servicemen of the 72nd separate mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to the investigation, in addition to files on Ukrainian ‘security forces’ he collected information on the AFU facilities: bases, depots, arsenals and their locations.

During the searches, the SSU found a Makarov pistol, symbols of the ‘DNR’ terrorist organization and the communist party, banned in Ukraine.

All seized items were sent for examination.

The detainee is to be served a notice of suspicion under Article 111 of the CCU.

The SSU Military Counterintelligence and SSU investigators carried out the operation under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.