The SSU Counterintelligence has exposed an agent network of russian special services, which carried out intelligence and subversive activities and passed data to the russian military on location and number of Ukrainian defence forces before the start of the full-scale invasion.

After the first agent of the network was detained in March, the SSU conducted a special operation and identified all members of this group. They are residents of Kyiv, aged 35-45.

It turned out that the group’s leader is a woman from Kyiv, recruited by the aggressor state during her trips to russia.

She formed an agent network and was put on standby expecting further instructions.

A few months before the invasion, the agents became more active in the information field. They started spinning pro-russian videos and publications on social networks.

Members of the group created communities on social networks, accounts and channels for circulating anti-Ukrainian fakes, glorifying ‘russkiy mir’ [russian world] and calling for seizure of state power in Ukraine.

On the eve of February 24, the group’s ‘leader’ was instructed to collect intelligence on Kyiv’s defence, namely:

• deployment/movement of servicemen and equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
• level of security at military facilities;
• energy, transport, financial, communication and health care civil infrastructure facilities.

The agents promptly started collecting information by districts. They sent detailed reports, photos and geolocation of facilities via messenger apps to russian mobile numbers.

The SSU has collected irrefutable evidence of their criminal collaboration with the enemy.

Now, the organizer of the group was notified of suspicion of crimes under the Articles of the CCU:

• 109.3 (actions aimed at violent change or overthrow of constitutional order or at seizure of state power);
• 111.2 (treason);
• 436-2.3 (justification, recognizing as legitimate, denying russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine).

One of the members of the group was notified of suspicion of crime under Article 436-2.3 of the CCU (justification, recognizing as legitimate, denying russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine).

The indictment against another agent of this network, accused of treason and illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives, was sent to court.

The SSU carried out the investigation together with National Police under the procedural supervision of Pechersk District Prosecutor’s Office of Kyiv.