The SSU Counterintelligence has neutralized an extensive FSB intelligence network that operated in the frontline areas of southern Ukraine.

The agents were reconnoitering locations of strategically important facilities of Ukraine’s military industrial complex.

They also adjusted russian missile strikes on critical infrastructure in the oblast, including energy generating enterprises.

As a result of a multi-stage special operation in Odesa, the SSU detained the group’s organizer.

The offender is a local resident, an assistant to a member of the so-called ‘Crimean parliament’, Konstantin Malchikov.

The investigation established that the man had periodically visited the Ukrainian peninsula, where he owns a recreation center.

During one of these trips before the full-scale invasion, he was recruited by Konstantin Shilov, an FSB officer.

Since February 24, 2022, following Shilov’s instructions, the agent has been trying to identify locations of Ukrainian enterprises in Odesa oblast that manufacture defence products for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The informant also collected intelligence on deployment and movement of the Defence Forces and ‘reported’ on the consequences of enemy air strikes on Ukrainian targets.

To collect information, he walked to the target area to conduct surveillance and also created an anonymous Telegram chat. The agent found and involved ‘like-minded people’, who sent him information on Ukrainian military equipment they had spotted.

Then, the organizer of the network passed the data to his supervisor through anonymous messengers and in draft emails in accounts of russian email services.

During the searches of the suspect’s home, the SSU found a mobile phone and computer equipment with evidence of his communication with the enemy.

SSU investigators notified the apprehended agent of suspicion of high treason committed under martial law (Article 111.2 of the CCU).

The court chose custody as a measure of restraint.

Another member of this FSB agent network is a pro-kremlin blogger Alexander Sinitsyn, who has been hiding from justice in the russian city of Ryazan since 2014.

Previously, he was a freelance correspondent for central russian TV channels, including ‘russia today’ and the ‘rosbusiness consulting’ media group.

Through these kremlin mouthpieces, the ‘journalist’ spread fake news on the internal political situation in Ukraine and supported the occupation of Crimea.

After leaving for russia, he created a propaganda Telegram channel ‘Typical Odesa’, where continued to disseminate destructive content.

Investigators established that the propagandist had been in direct contact with the russian agent from Odesa. From him, Sinitsyn received materials on events in southern Ukraine and made provocative publications using this information.

The blogger will shortly be notified of suspicion under Article 436-2 of the CCU (justification, recognition as lawful, denial of russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants).

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing to bring to justice all members of this intelligence network.

The SSU carried out the operation under the supervision of Odesa Region Prosecutor’s Office.