The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has arrested an IT specialist in the Kharkiv region who provided coordinates to the Russian military intelligence (GRU) for attacking the positions of the Defense Forces in the Kupiansk area. This was reported by the SBU.
As the investigation revealed, the individual has a prior conviction for collaborating with the invaders at the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
At that time, he was living in the Kupiansk district and, during its occupation in the summer of 2022, he joined the Russian occupation administration. There, he managed and maintained the computer network of a pseudo-government entity.
After the community was liberated, the collaborator moved to Kharkiv, hoping to hide among the city's residents and evade justice.
In 2022, the SBU and the National Police arrested him, yet the court imposed a non-custodial sentence.
According to the case materials, this autumn, the Russian military intelligence reestablished contact with him remotely and tasked him with monitoring the positions of Ukrainian troops fighting for Kupiansk.
To carry out this task, the individual traveled around the area near the front line, secretly recording the locations of the Defense Forces and relaying them to the enemy.
For cover, the agent used a cover story about visiting relatives living in the frontline zone.
The SBU counterintelligence uncovered and documented the recidivist's crimes, and during the final phase of the special operation, he was detained.
During a search of the detainee's apartment and his relatives' suburban house, a smartphone containing evidence of his work for the GRU of Russia, a Russian-style uniform, and a handmade flag of the aggressor country were seized.
Investigators informed the suspect of his charges under part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (treason committed in a state of war).
The perpetrator is being held in custody without the right to bail. He faces life imprisonment with asset confiscation.