As a result of a special operation in Donetsk oblast, the SSU neutralized a group of FSB agents who collected intelligence on locations and movements of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Avdiivka.

The enemy informants are two residents of Pokrovsk district who acted separately from each other. However, they both contacted russian intelligence through same ‘liaison’ in the temporarily occupied part of the region.

The SSU established that the traitors had tried to identify firing positions of Ukrainian artillery and routes of movement of heavy armoured vehicles of Ukraine’s Defence Forces, including Abrams tanks.

The informants also provided the aggressor with information on Ukrainian checkpoints and fortifications near the frontline.

The occupiers promised their assets to transfer a payment to their bank cards for each completed assignment.

The invaders needed the intelligence to plan combat operations, primarily to carry out drone, rocket and artillery strikes on Ukrainian troops.

The SSU exposed the reconnaissance and sabotage activities of the enemy agents and detained them at their homes. Mobile phones were seized from both suspects with evidence of tasking received from the FSB and ‘reporting’ to them.

According to the investigation, the men were recruited remotely by the FSB in June this year.

To gather intelligence, the traitors drove in Pokrovsk district and secretly photographed bases and movements of the AFU units.

The collected data were transmitted to the temporarily occupied part of Donetsk region via messenger apps as photos of Ukrainian targets, markings on electronic maps and text descriptions.

Based on the evidence, SSU investigators have notified both detainees of suspicion under Article 111.2 of the CCU (high treason committed under martial law).

The suspects are in custody, facing life imprisonment. The investigation is ongoing.

The SSU Office in Donetsk and Luhansk regions carried out the operation jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of Donetsk Region Prosecutor’s Office.