Ukraine’s SBU dismantles FSB network that helped target Kramatorsk

Nation

18 September, 03:16 PM

Author: Alex Stezhensky
Ukraine’s SBU Security Service said its counterintelligence officers dismantled a Russian agent network in Donetsk Oblast that helped target strikes on Kramatorsk, the SBU press service reported on Sept. 18.

The SBU said three FSB agents who provided Russian forces with coordinates of Ukraine’s Defense Forces in the Kramatorsk sector operated independently of one another. However, they shared the same handler from the FSB’s military counterintelligence — a member of Russian armed formations fighting on the eastern front.

Case materials show the network included a vendor who worked at a market in Kramatorsk, an acquaintance of hers who moved to Russia and began working for the FSB, and a local laborer.

Investigators found that the Russian security service used the acquaintance living in Russia to recruit the vendor.

After being recruited, the woman discreetly sought intelligence from customers, including military personnel, the SBU said. She also sought information about the locations of defensive fortifications and Ukrainian artillery firing positions.

Another member of the agent group was a laborer from the outskirts of the district center. The SBU said he came to the attention of Russian intelligence after posting anti-Ukrainian comments on Odnoklassniki.

Photo: SBU / Telegram

The SBU documented the man tracking fortified areas and other locations where personnel from Ukraine’s Defense Forces were concentrated for the FSB.

The Ukrainian security service said the suspect tried to conceal his activities by leaving home only for brief periods and using his knowledge of the area to plan covert routes for reconnaissance trips.

SBU officers took steps in advance to protect Ukrainian troop positions and detained both agents at their homes. Searches uncovered computer equipment and mobile phones containing evidence of subversive activity.

SBU investigators notified the agents that they were suspected under Part 2 of Article 111 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code — high treason committed under martial law.

The suspects are being held without bail. They face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Investigative actions involving the third member of the agent network, who is hiding in Russia, are continuing. Authorities are preparing to notify her of suspicion under a special pretrial investigation procedure.

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