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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
The Security Service of Ukraine uncovered and neutralized an agent network of the Russian GRU. The suspects collected intelligence on Ukrainian army airfields hosting combat aircraft F-16 and Mirage 2000.
The enemy group included 14 people from various regions of Ukraine. The SBU reported this on 13 August.
Details of the agent network’s operations
The operation to expose the network took place under the personal coordination of SBU head Oleksandr Poklad. The investigation established that Russian military intelligence recruited a Lviv resident — an administrator of a Telegram channel about aviation. The man attracted the enemy’s attention by posting photos of Ukrainian combat aircraft in pro-Kremlin chats.
To carry out his handlers’ tasks, the Lviv man covertly recruited 13 of his subscribers who owned professional photo equipment and lived near aviation infrastructure.
The recruited individuals were to photograph military airfields, aircraft, crews, and technical personnel. They also recorded takeoff and landing times of aircraft, believing they were doing so to populate the blogger’s Telegram channel. During filming, the suspects hid in abandoned buildings and in open areas near air bases.
The photos taken were stored in an online repository provided by the agent. He then passed them to his Russian handler, who has already been identified by the Security Service.
The agent also "leaked" flight schedules of combat helicopters to the Russians. He received such intelligence from the commander of a Ukrainian Air Force squadron, who provided the information on his own initiative,
— the SBU added.
Exposure of the GRU agent network / Photo SBU
What is known about the agents’ arrests?
During searches, investigators found digital equipment and smartphones with evidence of cooperation with the enemy, as well as photos of military facilities.
The SBU blocked four channels and ten thematic Telegram groups through which data about Ukrainian aviation were distributed.
The main agent, his accomplice, and a servicemember have been notified of suspicion for crimes against the foundations of national security. Investigation and efforts to hold all those responsible accountable are ongoing.
This operation is another example of our systematic work in this area. Anyone who agrees to work in Russia’s interest should understand: the SBU will definitely hold you accountable,
— emphasized Oleksandr Poklad.
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "СБУ викрила мережу ГРУ: 14 агентів готували удари по базах з F-16 та Mirage 2000". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: Channel 24.
