Ukraine detains suspected Russian spy accused of targeting defence infrastructure

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) says it has detained an alleged Russian intelligence agent accused of gathering information to facilitate missile strikes on defence industry facilities and military logistics hubs in western Ukraine.

In a statement on July 23, the SBU said the suspect was arrested in the Khmelnytskyi region while allegedly conducting reconnaissance near a strategic site after officers uncovered the purported operation in advance.

According to the agency, the man had been tasked by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) with identifying defence-industrial enterprises and logistics centres used by Ukrainian forces.

The SBU said its investigation identified the suspect as a local repeat offender previously convicted of drug-related crimes. It alleged that he was recruited by the FSB through Telegram channels advertising "easy money", claiming he sought the work to finance drug purchases.

Investigators said the suspect travelled around the area posing as a cyclist, recording the perimeters of potential targets on his smartphone before sending videos and geolocation data to an alleged handler in Russia.

The SBU said officers recovered a mobile phone during a search that allegedly contained evidence of cooperation with Russian intelligence.

The suspect has been remanded in custody without the possibility of bail and faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property if convicted.

By Aghakazim Guliyev