The SBU detained GRU agents who organised "observation posts" in rented apartments in Kyiv to adjust the shelling. This was reported by the agency's press service.
SBU counterintelligence foiled a new attempt by Russia to create its own agent cells in Kyiv, Poltava and Chernihiv.
As a result of a special operation in the Kyiv Region, a senior agent (resident) of the GRU and one of his associates were detained.
The detainees were two residents of Kyiv Region who started working for the Russian special service for money.
On the instructions of Russians, the suspects adjusted Russian missile and drone attacks and prepared arson attacks on power substations and official vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
To carry out their tasks, the criminals set up an observation post in a rented apartment in a Kyiv high-rise building with a panoramic view of potential targets - critical infrastructure facilities.
The agents installed video cameras with remote access software that allowed the GRU to monitor the streets of Kyiv online.
In this way, Russian agents hoped to record the effects of air strikes on the city and identify air defence firing positions to adjust new attacks.
The sabotage group travelled to Poltava and Chernihiv with a similar task. There, they first conducted reconnaissance near energy facilities, and then planned to create their own cells in both cities.
For this purpose, they tried to recruit local residents looking for "easy money". The defendants posted the relevant announcements on specialised Telegram channels controlled by the Russian secret service.
Another task for the new members of the Russian agents was to set fire to the official cars of the TRC employees and power transformers in three Regions of Ukraine.
The SBU exposed the organiser of the agent network and his accomplice in advance and detained them.
During the searches, the SBU seized video devices, phones and SIM cards with evidence of subversive activities in favour of Russia.
SBU investigators have served both detainees a notice of suspicion under Part 1 Article 14, Part 2 Article 113 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (preparation to commit sabotage under martial law).
The criminal actions of the organiser of the hostile group are additionally qualified under Part 1 Article 14, Part 1 Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (preparation to commit actions that impede the lawful activities of the Armed Forces and other military formations during a special period).
The criminals are in custody. They face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.