A 72-year-old scientist who helped Russians improve their chess machines was detained in Kharkiv. This was reported by the SBU press service.
The mechanical scientist, commissioned by Russians, developed drawings to improve the Shahed kamikaze drones, in particular, he worked on the modernisation of engines and catapult launchers.
According to the investigation, the defendant remotely transferred technological developments to his acquaintance, the CEO of a Russian machine-building plant that produces units for drones.
Since 2023, this company has been working closely with a Russian company that manufactures Shahed-type attack drones, which Russians label as Geran-2.
The Kharkiv resident used e-mail and a messenger to communicate with his Russian accomplices. At the same time, he disguised his cooperation with Russians under the guise of preparing scientific papers in the field of UAVs.
According to the investigation, the scientist involved his former student in the project work, who fled Kharkiv Region to Russia at the beginning of the full-scale war. There, he got a job at the Moscow Technological University, where he develops drones for the Russian armed forces.
SBU CI officers documented the crimes of the Kharkiv scientist and detained him at his place of residence in the regional centre. During the searches, SBU officers seized computer equipment, a mobile phone and flash drives with evidence of subversive activities in favour of Russia.
The SBU investigators served the detainee a notice of suspicion under Part 1 Art. 111-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (aiding the aggressor state). The offender is in custody. He faces 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
In addition, it is planned to serve a notice of suspicion in absentia to the offender's accomplice, a former student of Kharkiv University, who is hiding in Russia.