Counter-intelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) neutralized a sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). The recruits were detected during a multi-stage special operation in Kyiv and Sumy Region.
The SBU press service states that the saboteurs had a task to collect data on the location of the combat units of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces' commanders.
Russia planned to use this information to prepare for the physical liquidation of Ukrainian defenders and the destruction of their weapons and military equipment. The subversive group also reconnoitred the deployment and movement points of Ukrainian troops in the capital and the border areas of the northeast.
"According to the investigation, the group was formed by an FSB officer to conduct reconnaissance and subversive activities against Ukraine. It included a resident of the border district of Sumy Region, who was recruited by the Russian special service after the full-scale invasion began," the statement said.
He was in direct contact with the curator. The recruit involved another resident.
He came to the attention of the occupiers because of his pro-Kremlin views and provocative statements among others. To gather intelligence, they covertly used their connections in the region, as well as travelled around the border area and observed the units of the Defence Forces.
According to the SBU, one of the agents travelled to Kyiv, where he tried to covertly carry out the photo and video recording of the locations of Ukrainian defenders and transmit the relevant coordinates to Russia. SBU officers timely exposed the criminals, documented their criminal actions and detained the saboteurs when they were taking weapons from a pre-arranged cache in Sumy Region.
During the inspection of the cache, law enforcement officers found:
- two TM-62M anti-tank mines with fuses
- two RGO combat grenades with fuses
- Kalashnikov rifle with a loaded magazine.
It was these very weapons that the enemy subversive group planned to use to commit acts of sabotage in the region.
The detainees were served notices of suspicion under Part 2 of Art. 111 (high treason committed under martial law), Part 2 of Art. 114-2 (unauthorized dissemination of information on the deployment, movement of weapons, armaments and ammunition to Ukraine, movement, relocation or deployment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or other military formations formed under the laws of Ukraine committed under martial law) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The issue of choosing custody as a type of detention is being decided. At the same time, the issue of additional classification of criminal acts under Part 1 Art. 14, Part 2 Art. 113 (preparation for committing sabotage under martial law) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is being considered.