Ukraine's Security Service exposes FSB agent network in Kherson

This was reported by the Security Service of Ukraine's (SBU) press service.

"The Security Service counterintelligence conducted a multi-stage special operation to expose the FSB agent network in Kherson. As a result, we managed to detain a resident of the Russian special service (note: in military terminology, an agent who recruits and gives tasks to other agents), who kept up to 10 informants in the region "in touch," the statement said.

According to the Security Service, all the informants were local residents of Kherson who supported Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.

 It is noted that the task of this intelligence network was to transmit to Russia relevant information about the Armed Forces units in the frontline areas of Kherson region. In particular, the informants tried to identify possible combat positions of Grad multiple rocket launchers and foreign M777 howitzers.

 They were to pass all the collected data to the resident, who was supposed to send it to his FSB supervisor. SBU officers exposed the network and detained its leader while he was trying to transfer information to the aggressor.

According to the investigation, the detained agent of the Russian special services was a local resident who fell into the FSB's sights back in the early 2000s. He often traveled to Russia on his own business. Later, he was contacted by a representative of the Russian secret service and offered cooperation.

 The Security Service of Ukraine notes that to "convince" its intentions, the Russian special service even issued its resident a so-called pass for unimpeded movement through the territory of the aggressor country.

Even before Russia's full-scale invasion began, he returned to Ukraine and got a job with a private security firm in Kherson. After February 24, 2022, he was contacted remotely by an FSB representative who identified the main tasks in the war against Ukraine.

 Based on the collected evidence, the Security Service investigators served the detainee a notice of suspicion under Part 2 Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. He faces life imprisonment.

Note. According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and shall not be criminally punished until his or her guilt is proved by law and established by a court verdict of guilty.

• On July 21, the Security Service of Ukraine detained residents of Kyiv and Kharkiv region who were justifying Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine. One of the pro-Russian agitators was a former teacher at a Kyiv lyceum.