SBU arrests suspects who directed Russian drones at Odesa and Kirovohrad oblasts

Two residents of Odesa Oblast, both recruited by Russia through Telegram channels, have been detained by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), authorities said.

One of the suspects is a 33-year-old deserter who abandoned his military unit in Kirovohrad Oblast and then sent the FSB the locations of the unit where he had served. He also passed coordinates of headquarters, training grounds, and troop movements toward the front. After returning to Odesa Oblast, he attempted to get a job as a laborer at a defense plant, where he planned to gather and transmit new intelligence, but SBU officers prevented his infiltration and arrested him at his residence.

The second suspect, a 49-year-old laborer from the village of Lymanske, allegedly relayed to the FSB the movements and combat positions of mobile air defense groups during air raids.

During searches, investigators seized smartphones from both suspects. They have been charged under two articles of Ukraine’s Criminal Code: Part 2 of Article 111 (treason during wartime) and Part 4 of Article 408 (desertion during wartime).

The suspects remain in custody without bail and face life imprisonment with confiscation of property if convicted.