Revealed the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in exchange for money: in Mykolaiv, the SBU detained a repeat offender who was working for Russia

In Mykolaiv, officers of the Security Service of Ukraine uncovered and detained another informant for the Russian special services who helped the enemy prepare missile-drone strikes on the city. According to the investigation, the perpetrator turned out to be a local resident who had previously served sentences for robbery and the unlawful seizure of a vehicle. After his release, the man began looking for ways to earn money quickly and made contact with representatives of the Russian Federation via thematic Telegram channels. For a promised monetary reward, he agreed to carry out reconnaissance tasks on behalf of the enemy.

The investigation established that the suspect drove around the city, including locations potentially important for defense, and identified bases of units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. He marked the collected coordinates on maps, including using Google Maps services, and then transmitted the information to a Russian handler via anonymous chats in a popular messenger. When new targets were discovered, the informant conducted additional reconnaissance: estimating the approximate number of servicemen, equipment, and assessing terrain features.

After documenting the illegal activity, SBU officers detained him immediately after measures were taken to secure the positions of Ukrainian troops. During searches, they seized a mobile phone that contains evidence of cooperation with the Russian special services.

On the basis of the collected evidence, SBU investigators informed the detainee of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 114-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — unauthorized dissemination of information about the movement or location of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the possibility of their identification on the ground, committed under martial law. The suspect is currently held in custody without the right to bail. He faces up to 12 years in prison.

The Security Service of Ukraine described how the detainee acted while carrying out tasks for the Russian special services:

“For the promise of ‘easy money,’ the suspect began driving around the port city to identify locations where Ukrainian forces were based and mark their geolocations on Google Maps. Also, when potential ‘targets’ were discovered, the informant conducted additional reconnaissance to determine the approximate number of personnel and equipment, terrain features, and so on. The collected information was passed to a Russian special services operative with whom he was in contact in an anonymous chat in a popular messenger.”