The Security Service of Ukraine has uncovered another attempt by the Russian Federation to destroy Kharkiv's energy infrastructure and disrupt the city's preparations for the upcoming heating season.
As a result of a special operation in the regional center, an FSB agent was apprehended for gathering coordinates of military and energy-generating facilities at the enemy's request. Reports indicate that the Russians intended to use the information from the spotter to prepare a new series of missile and drone strikes. The investigation revealed that the occupiers' order was executed by a 34-year-old former employee of Kharkiv's energy company, who was dismissed due to drug addiction. The FSB recruited him via Telegram channels promising easy money for cooperation. The agent's main task was to collect coordinates. Among other things, he tried to scout the geolocations of mobile anti-aircraft fire groups protecting high-voltage transformer substations in Kharkiv, as well as the coordinates of modular boiler houses and cogeneration plants that provide residents with heat and electricity instead of the attacked thermal power plants. Additionally, the spotter sought to identify the locations of military recruitment centers. To do this, he inquired about military commissariat addresses from acquaintances who visited sensitive facilities and then photographed these buildings.
According to case materials, the agent coordinated his subversive activities with an active FSB employee, whose identity has been established by the Security Service. Security Service operatives documented the enemy's actions and took measures to secure the locations of Defense Forces and energy facilities. At the final stage of the operation, the suspect was detained. During a search, a phone containing evidence of his collaboration with the enemy was confiscated.
Investigators from the SBU informed the agent of suspicion under part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (treason committed in wartime conditions). The perpetrator is currently in custody without the right to bail. He faces life imprisonment with asset confiscation. The special operation was conducted by SBU officers in the Kharkiv region under the procedural guidance of the regional prosecutor's office.
