The SBU exposed Russian agents who were gathering information on Ukrainian fighter jets
The SBU’s military counterintelligence unit uncovered and neutralized a large-scale spy network operated by Russian military intelligence. It consisted of 14 individuals who were gathering information on Ukrainian air bases and F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighter jets.
According to the SBU, the Russians could have used the intelligence obtained by the agents to prepare missile strikes against Ukrainian Air Force facilities. The operation was conducted under the personal coordination of SBU Head Oleksandr Poklad.
As the investigation revealed, the suspects’ activities enabled the enemy to plan and carry out attacks on Ukrainian military airfields equipped with F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighter jets.
According to the case file, the group recruited by the enemy consisted of 14 individuals residing in various regions of Ukraine.
“Countering Russian intelligence services seeking to destabilize the situation in Ukraine from within is one of the SBU’s top priorities today. We are actively strengthening our counterintelligence measures because we understand that the enemy continues to attempt to undermine our country’s defense capabilities and destabilize the Ukrainian rear, having failed to achieve any notable successes on the front lines. This operation is yet another example of our systematic work in this area. Anyone who agrees to work in the interests of the Russian Federation should realize: the SBU will definitely hold you accountable,” said Oleksandr Poklad, head of the Security Service of Ukraine.
It has been established that the Russian group initially recruited a Lviv resident who administered a Telegram channel about aviation. He came to the attention of the Russians when he posted photos of Ukrainian Armed Forces fighter jets in pro-Kremlin chat rooms.
To carry out the hostile mission, the agent secretly enlisted 13 of his subscribers—who possess high-quality photographic equipment and live near the Defense Forces’ aviation infrastructure.
They were tasked with photographing Ukrainian airfields, military aircraft, their crews, and technical personnel, as well as recording the times of takeoffs and landings—ostensibly for a Telegram channel run by a Lviv-based blogger.
To do this, the suspects used professional cameras, hiding with them in abandoned buildings or in open areas near air bases.
The photos taken were stored in an online repository, access to which they had received in advance from an agent. He then forwarded the photographic materials to his handler in Russia, whose identity has already been established by the Security Service.
The agent also leaked flight schedules for combat helicopters to the Russians. He obtained this intelligence from the commander of a Ukrainian Air Force squadron, who provided the information on his own initiative.
During searches of the suspects’ residences, smartphones and digital photography equipment were discovered containing evidence of activities on behalf of the enemy, as well as photographs of the Defense Forces’ aviation facilities.
In addition, SBU officers blocked four channels and ten thematic groups on Telegram where photos and other data about the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ aviation units were being disseminated.
Currently, Security Service investigators have notified the detained agent, his accomplice, and the military officer that they are suspected of committing crimes against the foundations of national security.
The investigation is ongoing to bring all those responsible to justice.
Comprehensive measures were carried out by officers of the SBU’s military counterintelligence unit under the procedural guidance of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
This was reported by the SBU.
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