Ukrainian security service arrests suspect accused of aiding Russian missile strikes

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has detained a 21-year-old resident of the western city of Lviv on suspicion of gathering intelligence on Ukrainian military positions to facilitate potential Russian missile strikes.

In a statement, the SBU said the suspect allegedly collected and recorded the coordinates of Ukrainian Defence Forces personnel and attempted to identify military units and other restricted facilities using a mobile phone application. Investigators say the data was stored on his phone, Caliber.Az reports. 

According to the SBU, the young man had accumulated debts due to a gambling addiction and was seeking what he described as “easy money” through the messaging platform Telegram. Authorities allege he was recruited there by a handler linked to Russia.

The suspect has been formally notified of suspicion under Ukrainian law for the unauthorised dissemination of information about the location of the Armed Forces during martial law. He is currently being held in custody without the possibility of bail and faces a potential prison sentence of up to 12 years if convicted.

By Sabina Mammadli