A former Ukrainian Armed Forces aviation technician became an FSB agent: he was detained in Kherson

The Counterintelligence Division of the Security Service of Ukraine detained an FSB agent in Kherson who had been recruited by the Russian intelligence service at the start of the full-scale invasion. After the liberation of the right bank of the Kherson region, he remained in so-called “sleeper” mode for a long time and was later tasked with gathering information on Ukrainian military personnel.

This was reported by the Security Service of Ukraine.

According to the SBU, the detainee is a former aircraft mechanic in the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Army Aviation who left the service in 2018. During the occupation of Kherson in 2022, he joined the FSB’s network of agents.

Before fleeing the city, the Russians enrolled him in the FSB-controlled civil society organization “Combat Brotherhood” and provided him with a firearm. After that, the agent remained in Kherson.

Subsequently, the FSB activated him and tasked him with tracking the locations of Ukrainian defenders in Kherson, which Russian troops planned to strike with guided bombs, drones, and rocket artillery.

According to the security service, the man used his own car to drive around the city and mark defensive positions on a topographic map. He also photographed potential targets with his phone to transmit the information to his Russian handler.

The SBU detained him as he was preparing to transmit intelligence after another reconnaissance mission.

During searches, authorities seized the man’s phone containing evidence of his work for the FSB, a “commemorative” rifle from the Russian Federation, and pro-Kremlin symbols.

SBU investigators informed him that he is suspected of violating Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—treason committed under martial law. The case materials have been forwarded to the court.

The detainee is being held in custody without the right to bail. Under the charged article, he faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Андрій Колісніченко