University teacher arrested in Ukraine for supplying military intel to Russia Photo

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has detained a suspected Russian military intelligence agent in the city of Kharkiv, accusing her of collecting targeting data for missile and aerial attacks on the city.

According to the SBU, the suspect is a 61-year-old foreign language teacher at a local university. Investigators believe she was recruited by Russia’s Main Directorate of the General Staff (commonly known as the GRU) through family connections with a relative living in Russia who was cooperating with Russian intelligence services, Caliber.Az reports. 

The SBU said that after her recruitment, the woman systematically moved around Kharkiv, identifying and recording the locations of Ukrainian Defence Forces personnel and military equipment. She allegedly photographed sites and marked them on digital maps as locations she believed could be used by Ukrainian troops.

Investigators also stated that the suspect attempted to gather information about Kharkiv’s defensive measures by questioning acquaintances, disguising her inquiries as casual conversations. The collected intelligence was processed into reports, some of which she reportedly sent in English via messaging applications to her handler at Russian military intelligence.

To avoid detection, the SBU said the woman frequently changed mobile phones, communicated through anonymous chat rooms, and deleted correspondence after each contact with her handlers.

Despite these precautions, Ukrainian security services said they were able to identify her activities in advance, document her actions, and detain her during an active phase of the alleged intelligence operation. The SBU added that additional steps were taken to secure Ukrainian Defence Forces facilities in areas affected by the suspected intelligence gathering.

During a search, authorities seized several smartphones allegedly used to collect intelligence and communicate with Russian intelligence officials. SBU investigators have formally notified the detainee that she is suspected of treason committed under martial law.

The suspect is currently being held in custody without the option of release on bail. If convicted, she faces a possible sentence of life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

By Sabina Mammadli