Exposure of intelligence data transmission channel
The Security Service of Ukraine announced the detention in Kharkiv of another individual who collaborated with Russian intelligence services. According to the investigation, the suspect was involved in adjusting enemy shelling of the city. It turned out that a saleswoman from a local shop, recruited by Russian intelligence officers, was operating on the aggressor's side.
The woman came to the attention of Russian intelligence services due to her activity online: she posted pro-Kremlin comments in Telegram channel chats. After recruitment, the informant's task became gathering intelligence information in the regional centre.
Methodology for gathering information on military objects
The offender systematically walked the streets of Kharkiv on foot to locate reserve command posts of the Defence Forces. This data was necessary for the enemy to plan a series of air strikes. To carry out her tasks, the informant used a smartphone camera, recording the facades of buildings near which she noticed concentrations of Ukrainian defenders' personnel and equipment.
In addition, it was established that she tracked parking locations of Ukrainian Armed Forces vehicles, photographed these sites, and sent the images to her curator in Russia.
Detention and evidence base
SBU cyber specialists intervened in the process before the informant could complete her next task, which involved participating in the preparation of terrorist acts against Ukrainian soldiers on rotation after returning from the front line. The specialists exposed the woman's communication channels with Russian intelligence services in advance and documented her intelligence sorties.
The detention took place at the suspect's residence. During searches, law enforcement officers seized a smartphone containing files with data on military objects and messenger correspondence with a curator from the Russian Federation.
Criminal liability
Security Service investigators informed the detainee of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 114-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. This article provides for liability for the unauthorised dissemination of information on the movement or deployment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations, committed under martial law conditions.
Currently, the suspect is in custody. The maximum penalty for the criminal act charged against her is up to eight years of imprisonment. Law enforcement officers are also considering the possibility of additionally qualifying her actions as high treason.
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