Kirovohrad region: Russian agent, who was spying on the echelons of Armed Forces of Ukraine, was detained

12 February, 2024 Detention of a suspect in espionage in favor of the Russian Federation. Kirovohrad region, February, 2024. Photo credits: SSU

The Security Service of Ukraine detained an informant of the Russian special services in the Kirovohrad region. The man was collecting intelligence on the redeployment of Ukrainian Defense Forces in the region. The SSU reported on this.

In particular, he was trying to find out the approximate number of personnel and military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine moving by rail toward the eastern front. "The enemy was most interested in information about the movement of Ukrainian heavy weapons to the front line, including tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and artillery systems," the SSU said in a statement.

Detention of a suspect in espionage in favor of the Russian Federation. Kirovohrad region, February, 2024.

Photo credits: SSU

The SSU said that in order to monitor the echelons of Armed Forces of Ukraine, the man set up an "observation post" in his own garage, located near the railway station. In addition, he reportedly went around the area and covertly recorded the locations of Ukrainian troops under the guise of walking an ordinary citizen. "To disguise his criminal actions, the detainee constantly changed the routes of his reconnaissance raids and sent the information to the aggressor from different geolocations," the SSU added.

According to the investigation, the informant of the Russian special services was a local resident who had lived in Russia for almost 20 years. However, before the start of the full-scale invasion, he came to Ukraine to sell all his property here and return to the Russian Federation. "In May 2023, when the man was still in the Kirovohrad region, a representative of the Russian special services approached him and offered to cooperate in favor of invaders," the SSU said.

In case of performing hostile tasks, the detainee was promised evacuation to the territory of the Russian Federation. They used an anonymous chat in one of the messengers to communicate with each other.

Personal belongings and documents of a suspected spy detained in the Kirovohrad region. February, 2024.

Photo credits: SSU

The man was detained in his own home. It is noted that during the searches, mobile phones and computer equipment with evidence of criminal activity had been found. As well as documents confirming the facts of his residence and business activities in the Russian Federation.

The man was served a notice of suspicion and is currently in custody.

He faces up to 12 years in prison.