Ukraine’s SBU dismantles FSB network that helped target Kramatorsk
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Ukraine’s SBU Security Service exposes three FSB agents (Photo: SBU / Telegram)
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.
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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