The SBU Military CI exposed a Russian special agent from the Ukrainian Naval Forces who was recruited by the FSB during his stay in the temporarily occupied Crimea due to personal issues.

SBU operatives established that FSB representatives, using blackmail and psychological influence, recruited the serviceman of the Ukrainian Armed Forces while crossing the checkpoint with the temporarily occupied Crimea.

Thus, the Russian special agent instructed the Ukrainian serviceman to collect military intelligence and information about the socio-political situation in southern Ukraine.

After returning to the territory controlled by Ukraine, the serviceman voluntarily reported all the circumstances of his recruitment and refused to perform the assigned tasks. Taking to account this fact, the Primorskyi District Court of Odesa did not convict the serviceman of preparing for high treason in the form of espionage. The man is released from criminal liability.

The pre-trial investigation was carried out by the SBU Office in Odesa region under the supervision of the Military Prosecutor's Office of the Odesa garrison.

We urge the Ukrainian citizens not to visit the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Moreover, we recall that according to Part 1 Art. 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine high treason is punishable by 15-year imprisonment.

However, in accordance with Part 2 Art. 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, a Ukrainian citizen shall be discharged from criminal liability where, he has not committed any actions requested by a foreign state, a foreign organization or their representatives, and voluntarily informed public authorities about his connections with them and the task assigned.