The SSU has neutralized an enemy agent network operating in Mykolaiv, Dnipro and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. The traitors were spying on the Defence Forces and key critical infrastructure facilities.

As a result of a special operation in Mykolaiv, two members of the cell, ‘supervised’ by two russian intelligence services, the FSB and the GRU, have been detained.

One of them is a local law enforcement officer who has been in contact with the head of the russian agent group, a former official of the disbanded ‘militsiya’, Andriy Shevchenko, since 2015.

On Shevchenko’s instructions, his agent in Mykolaiv collected data on the locations and movements of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the region.

The asset tried to establish locations of strategic defence enterprises and reported to the occupiers on personnel decisions in the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine.

To gather intelligence, the traitor used his official position and also solicited information from his colleagues in the course of seemingly ‘everyday’ conversations.

The head of the cell also involved his father, a Mykolaiv resident who had previously worked in the disbanded police force, in the intelligence and sabotage activities.

Using the coordinates provided by the latter, the occupiers launched a repeated attack on an energy facility in Prykarpattia.

To adjust the strike, the ex-officer used his acquaintance in this western region of Ukraine, who unwittingly helped the traitor.

Another task of this asset was to look for potential candidates for recruitment, including among former and current law enforcement and military personnel in Mykolaiv oblast.

The SSU Counterintelligence documented his criminal actions and detained him on his attempt to flee to Crimea. Simultaneously, the traitorous law enforcement officer was also detained.

According to the investigation, the network was run by the head of the 161st training centre of the main directorate of the general staff of the russian armed forces (‘the GRU’) and two employees of the ‘FSB office in the Crimea’. They have already been identified by the SSU.

During the searches, mobile phones, computer equipment, records and documents with evidence of the crimes were seized. russian symbols and rubles were also found.

The SSU served the apprehended individuals notices of suspicion under Article 111.2 of the CCU (high treason, committed under martial law). They are currently in custody and face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

In addition, Shevchenko, the resident of the group, was notified of suspicion in absentia under the same Article of the CCU.

Efforts are underway to bring him and other members of the network to justice for crimes against Ukraine.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Mykolaiv region jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.