An agent network of the elite unit of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) – the Counterintelligence Operations Department – was exposed in Kyiv. According to the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the hostile cell consisted of four people and was coordinated in Ukraine by a former MP from the banned Party of Regions.
The agent network carried out intelligence and sabotage activities on the territory of Ukraine, having a clearly organized structure with a distribution of roles. The group included: a former People's Deputy curator, a sabotage executor, a supplier of explosive devices, and an agent specializing in external surveillance.
One of the key tasks of the network was to disrupt the logistics of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. In particular, the agents planned a series of bombings on the tracks of Ukrzaliznytsia, including the task of blowing up one of the tracks in the Kyiv region, which the Armed Forces of Ukraine use to transport equipment and personnel to the front-line regions. However, thanks to the operational actions of the SBU, this sabotage was prevented.
During a multi-stage special operation, the Security Service of Ukraine detained all four agents, including the former People's Deputy. Law enforcement officers found communication equipment and electronic devices with evidence of their intelligence and subversive activities in favor of Russia.
In addition to sabotage work, the network was engaged in collecting data on Ukrainian figures of interest to Russian special services. In particular, the enemy tried to obtain information about the places of residence, daily schedule and circle of communication of certain individuals for subsequent physical elimination. One of the targets of Russian special services was the well-known Ukrainian journalist Dmitry Gordon.
All four detainees are currently in custody. They have been charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- Article 111 (high treason);
- Article 113 (sabotage);
- Article 258 (terrorist act).
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
