Kyiv lawyer recruited agents for Russian GRU, then defended them in court

The SBU press service reports that the lawyer initially assisted Russian forces in "recruiting" a spotter to target Ukrainian positions and, after the spotter’s detention, defended him in court. According to the investigation, the lawyer was recruited by Russian GRU officer Vitaly Naumov during a personal meeting on Russian territory in 2015.

Law enforcement officials have determined that after the start of the full-scale invasion, the lawyer not only sought out new agents and defended them in court, but also provided the Russian intelligence services with information about SBU officers involved in criminal cases and exposing traitors. He also copied and transmitted procedural documents to Russian GRU representatives. For each task completed, the agent received monetary "rewards" from Naumov, which were sent through anonymous money transfers. The SBU documented this and arrested him at his residence in Kyiv. During searches, investigators seized his mobile phone, which he used for communication with the Russian officer and other agents.

Based on the evidence, SBU has notified the detainee of suspicion under parts 1 and 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed during a state of war). The issue of selecting a preventive measure for the suspect is currently under consideration. The offender faces life imprisonment with asset confiscation.

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be criminally punished until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a court verdict.

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