Counter-intelligence officers from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) have apprehended a Russian FSB agent in the Khmelnytskyi region who was tasked with gathering coordinates for missile and drone strikes against vital regional infrastructure. As reported by the SBU, the suspect is a 22-year-old student from Kharkiv who relocated to western Ukraine following the outbreak of the full-scale invasion.
Investigations revealed that the perpetrator independently compiled lists of potential targets for Russian forces, including power substations, logistics warehouses, industrial facilities, and administrative buildings. Furthermore, the individual was tracking the results of previous strikes on Khmelnytskyi by driving a rented car through the city and reporting findings to his handler via a messenger app, using Google Maps to pinpoint Ukrainian targets. The suspect’s goal was to provide the enemy with precise information to maximize the effectiveness of future attacks.
During the search operation, SBU officers discovered a Russian passport issued prior to the start of the war and a smartphone containing clear evidence of his subversive activities. The suspect has been notified of suspicion under Article 111, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (High Treason committed under martial law). He now faces life imprisonment with property confiscation.
This incident is part of a broader, ongoing effort by the Ukrainian security apparatus to neutralize Russian intelligence networks operating within the country. Recent weeks have seen several high-profile arrests of collaborators and spies in various regions, from attempted sabotage at strategic facilities in Lviv to the uncovering of Russian “moles” within defense academies. The SBU continues to operate under high-alert conditions, emphasizing that the domestic front remains a primary target for Russian hybrid warfare. These efforts by law enforcement are crucial to protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure and ensuring the security of civilians as the conflict enters a complex phase of attrition.