Investigation showed that a 42-year-old local resident, who was evading mobilization and unemployed, came into the sights of Russian intelligence through an online dating site.
There, he was approached by an “informal employee” of Russia’s FSB who suggested they “get to know each other better.” The woman introduced herself as a resident of the temporarily occupied city of Kakhovka, gained the man’s trust, and then handed him off to a full-time FSB officer, the SBU said.
After being recruited, the agent received instructions from his handler to observe Ukrainian troops defending the city.
He walked around Nikopol avoiding checkpoints and collected reconnaissance data, which he immediately relayed to the Russian security service, the SBU stressed. According to available information, Russia was planning to use an FPV drone to deliver a makeshift bomb to the agent in the near future so he could prepare a terrorist attack.
SBU counterintelligence exposed the man, documented his activities, and detained him at his place of residence. Law enforcement officers seized a smartphone containing evidence of his collaboration with Russia during searches.
Measures were also taken to secure the positions of Ukrainian forces.
SBU investigators informed the man that he is suspected under Part 2 of Article 111 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code (high treason committed under martial law).
He is being held in custody with no option for bail and faces a possible life sentence with confiscation of property.