The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), with the assistance of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has exposed a Russian agent in the Odessa region. The suspect was a mobilised serviceman in one of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ mechanised brigades who allegedly helped coordinate Russian strikes in southern Ukraine.
According to the investigation, the serviceman came to the attention of Russian intelligence while searching for “quick money” through Telegram channels. A Russian intelligence officer contacted him and offered cooperation in exchange for the promise of “easy money.”
After being recruited, the suspect allegedly drove around Odessa and surrounding districts in a rented car, secretly filming locations used by the Ukrainian Defence Forces with his smartphone.
He also marked the coordinates of Ukrainian military positions on Google Maps.
SSU cyber specialists detected the agent’s alleged activities in advance, documented them and detained him “red-handed” while he was conducting additional reconnaissance near a Ukrainian Armed Forces facility.
During searches, investigators seized a smartphone containing evidence of his alleged cooperation with Russia. They also discovered a virtual wallet that the suspect had created in anticipation of cryptocurrency payments from the aggressor state.
The suspect is being held in custody without the right to bail. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
