The Security Service of Ukraine successfully prevented an assassination attempt on the commander of the 108th Separate Battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine «Wolves Da Vinci», Serhiy Filimonov. According to the investigation, the FSB organized the operation by recruiting a local resident as an agent under the guise of cooperating with the SBU.
This new strategy of Russian special services, involving undercover operations, has raised significant concerns. During recruitment, FSB operatives posed as SBU employees, assigning tasks to agents supposedly in the interest of Ukraine. A participant in the ATO from Kamianske fell victim to this deception, believing he was to neutralize a spotter working for the enemy.
The investigation revealed that the victim received a call from a representative of the Russian special service via social media, who claimed to be an SBU employee. She accused the Ukrainian of «state treason», citing fabricated allegations about financing Russian troops through an online store.
To exert psychological pressure, the FSB sent a fake summons for questioning to the SBU, offering cooperation in exchange for closing the criminal case. This information was accompanied by an application for joining the SBU and instructions to come to Kyiv.
FSB agents manipulated the patriotic sentiments of the Ukrainian, convincing him he was helping his country. In correspondence with his handler, the man expressed his willingness to fight the occupiers even at the cost of his own life.
Upon arriving in Kyiv, his task was to rent an apartment in an area where the commander lived and observe his vehicle. The FSB portrayed the Ukrainian military officer as a «traitor» responsible for attacks on the capital. After one missile strike on Kyiv, the handler convinced the agent that the one he was watching was responsible for it. Agents regularly sent photo reports of their surveillance.
When the recruited agent received a weapon and instructions to eliminate the commander, he was apprehended by SBU operatives. A search revealed a phone through which he communicated with his handler. The detainee has been charged under Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for illegal possession of weapons.
The SBU emphasizes that its representatives do not contact individuals for recruitment, do not propose illegal actions, and operate solely within the framework of the law.
