Ukraine detains deputy school director on espionage charges

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has detained an alleged FSB informant in the Donetsk region who, while serving as deputy director of a school in Kramatorsk, is accused of assisting Russian forces in adjusting missile and drone strikes on the city.

According to the investigation, the employee came to the attention of the Russian special service when she traveled to Belarus at the beginning of the full-scale war, SBU press service said.

“Last summer, the FSB ‘activated’ cooperation and tasked her with monitoring the locations of defence forces in the frontline city.

To carry out the enemy’s assignment, the suspect walked through city districts and recorded areas with the highest concentration of Ukrainian military personnel and equipment.

In addition, the woman attempted to covertly obtain intelligence through acquaintances during casual conversations.

She transmitted the collected information via messenger to her Russian handler in the form of voice and text messages, indicating the locations of potential ‘targets’.

SBU officers documented the suspect’s activities and detained her at her place of residence. At the same time, measures were taken to ensure the security of Ukrainian military positions.

During searches, officers seized a smartphone used for gathering intelligence and communicating with the FSB. (…) The suspect is being held in custody without bail. She faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property,” the statement said.

By Vafa Guliyeva