Kharkiv detains Russian agent who guided Geran drones during April 2 attack — SBU

Security Service officers detained the suspect “in the act” in a city park while she was livestreaming a second wave of Russian drone strikes on residential areas in Kharkiv.

Investigators seized a smartphone with remote access for Russian operatives, which they used to guide Geran drones toward apartment buildings.

According to the investigation, acting on instructions from a handler in Russia, the woman went to document the aftermath of a nighttime attack. Later the same day, she received a new task — to film Russian drones during daytime strikes on Kharkiv. Russian forces were thus attempting to assess the effectiveness of their drone use and identify Ukrainian air defense positions.

The suspect received approximate directions of incoming air attacks from her handler in order to arrive at a location in advance and record the strikes in real time. Investigators charged her under Part 2 of Article 111 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code (high treason committed under martial law).

She is being held in custody without bail and faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

On April 2, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said most Russian drones launched at the city that day were jet-powered, marking the first time such drones had been used in strikes on Kharkiv.

Russian forces struck the city 11 times, all impacts hitting the Kyivskyi district. The number could have been higher, but Ukrainian air defenses prevented additional strikes, the mayor said.