Exposed: Russian spy in Khmelnytskyi caught guiding missile strikes on Ukraine

Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) have detained a Russian intelligence agent in the Khmelnytskyi region who was reportedly directing missile and drone strikes against western Ukraine.

The suspect, a 53-year-old resident, had been recruited by Russia’s FSB and was allegedly coordinating attacks by collecting detailed information on Ukrainian military deployments, Caliber.Az reports via SBU.

According to SBU, the agent operated a Telegram group under the pretext of gathering data on mobilisation measures. In reality, the group served to identify locations with high concentrations of Ukrainian forces.

Once he identified relevant posts, the agent reportedly contacted contributors directly to confirm the positions of military bases and movement routes of the Ukrainian Defence Forces. Particular attention was paid to the location and movements of mobile fire units defending the region’s airspace.

The suspect also attempted to track the positions of radar stations and surface-to-air missile systems using his Telegram network. Collected intelligence was compiled into reports containing photographs and GPS coordinates, which were passed to the FSB as potential strike targets.

Authorities said that Russian forces had planned to use this information to launch a new series of aerial attacks designed to bypass Ukraine’s air defence systems.

However, SBU operatives intervened in advance, documenting the suspect’s activities and arresting him at his residence. During a search, officials seized a smartphone that had been used to manage the Telegram group and communicate with his FSB handlers.

The suspect has been charged under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — treason committed during martial law — and is being held in custody without the possibility of bail. Conviction could carry a life sentence with confiscation of property. Investigations are ongoing to identify and hold accountable all involved parties.

The operation was carried out by the SBU in the Khmelnytskyi region under the procedural supervision of the regional prosecutor’s office.

By Aghakazim Guliyev