Priest arrested in Odesa for passing coordinates of power facilities to enemy

In Odesa, SBU counterintelligence detained a clergyman suspected of working for Russian military intelligence and adjusting missile strikes on the city. According to the investigation, the priest passed the coordinates of military facilities, air defense and energy infrastructure to the enemy, and also helped organize a double strike on a civilian location.

This was reported by the SBU press service.

According to the investigation, he was a priest of one of the churches of the local diocese of the UOC (MP), who is suspected of high treason and passing data to the enemy for missile attacks.

According to the SBU, he was involved in adjusting a double missile strike on Odesa in March 2024. Back then, Russian troops used two Iskander-M ballistic missiles to hit one of the city's recreational areas.

The first strike hit a residential area and civilian infrastructure, where the spotter believed Ukrainian military might have been located. The occupiers fired the second missile after rescuers and emergency services arrived at the scene.

A detained priest in Odesa. PHOTO: ssu.gov.ua

After the attack, according to the investigation, the agent passed on information about the consequences of the shelling to the Russian player and tried to hide his activities. However, SBU officers established his involvement and detained him at his place of residence.

As the investigation revealed, the clergyman came to the attention of Russian special services because of his activity in pro-Russian Telegram channels, where he posted pro-Kremlin comments. After being recruited, according to law enforcement, he went around Odesa, collecting the coordinates of potential targets and marking them on electronic maps.

He allegedly transmitted the information he received through a chatbot, the administrator of which the investigation identifies as Serhiy Lebedev, alias "Shaggy," a native of Ukraine who is hiding in occupied Donetsk and cooperating with Russian military intelligence.

The detained priest in Odesa. PHOTO: od.gp.gov.ua

According to the SBU, the information transferred included the coordinates of Ukrainian air defense systems that defended Odesa region during Russian attacks. The suspect also allegedly informed the occupiers about one of the power substations near Odesa, its defense system and the consequences of an enemy attack on the power facility.

During the searches, a smartphone was seized from the detainee, which, according to the investigation, was used to communicate with Russian intelligence and gather intelligence.

The clergyman was served a notice of suspicion of high treason committed under martial law. He is currently in custody without the right to be released on bail. If proven guilty, he faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Also in Odesa, three Russian agents were convicted of acting as part of an organized criminal group that was part of the FSB agent network and coordinated missile and drone attacks on the city.

Анна Бальчінос