Based on evidence collected by the Security Service, a enemy agent, exposed in March 2023 in the Mykolaiv region, has been convicted to 15 years’ imprisonment and confiscation of property. He turned out to be a former commander of one of the Ukrainian special forces centres, who had been recruited by the aggressor and had secured a position on the Ochakiv City Council.

As the investigation established, the perpetrator carried out tasks for russia’s military intelligence (the GRU) to gather intelligence for the seizure of the port city.

The agent was instructed to persuade the city’s leadership to collaborate with the invaders.

In exchange for surrender, the mayor was offered a ‘post’ within russia’s occupation administration if the adversary took Ochakiv.

However, the SSU Counterintelligence acted pre-emptively and prevented the mayor’s recruitment.

During the searches of the mole, a mobile phone which he had used for communication with the GRU handler was seized. Thermal imaging devices and unregistered weapons with ammunition were also found.

According to the investigation, the GRU recruited the former military officer after the start of the full-scale war, when he took up a post as an assistant to the mayor of Ochakiv.

Initially, he gathered information on the locations of Defence Forces bases along the coast.

To this end, the traitor tried to use his connections among former military personnel and current officials.

Based on the SSU’s investigation, the court found the accused guilty under two Articles of the CCU:

• 111.2 (high treason, committed under martial law);
• 263.1 (unlawful handling of weapons, ammunition or explosive substances).

The investigation was carried out by the SSU Mykolaiv Office under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.