In Kharkiv, the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police detained a couple who were engaged in espionage for Russia and illegal drug trafficking. The man and woman were collecting information about the locations of Ukrainian military and SBU employees and passing it on to Russian handlers.
The espionage activity was carried out under the guise of ordinary walks. The couple chose strategically important locations, including reserve command posts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the residences of SBU employees, photographing them and recording their geolocations. The occupiers, in turn, promised them a reward for the information they collected, which was the reason for their betrayal.
In addition to espionage, the woman was involved in drug trafficking. She left “bookmarks” with methadone around the city, which also became part of her criminal activity. The detainees were found in a rented apartment, where they organized a conspiracy. During the search, law enforcement officers seized mobile phones with evidence of their criminal activity.
The suspects were charged under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- Part 3 of Article 114-2 — transmitting information about the location of Ukrainian military personnel to the enemy (punishment of up to 12 years in prison);
- Part 2 of Article 307 — illegal drug trafficking (punishment up to 10 years in prison);
- Part 1 of Article 309 — possession of narcotic drugs without the purpose of sale (punishment up to 5 years in prison).
The court chose for them a preventive measure in the form of detention without bail. The defendants face up to 12 years in prison for espionage and drug trafficking.
