The Security Service of Ukraine thwarted another attempt by Russian special services to disable Kharkiv’s energy infrastructure and prevent the city from preparing for the heating season. Within the scope of the special operation in Kharkiv was detained an FSB agent who, on the order of the Russian side, collected the coordinates of Ukrainian military facilities, as well as electrical and heat-generating installations.
According to operational information, the Russians planned to use this data to prepare a new series of missile and drone strikes on the city. The investigation established that the agent turned out to be a 34-year-old former employee of one of the Kharkiv thermal power enterprises, who was fired due to drug addiction. He was recruited remotely through Telegram channels, where “easy earnings” were offered, and he agreed to cooperate for a reward.
The main task of the agent was to identify exact geolocations. In particular, he tried to establish the locations of mobile air defense fire groups that protect critical transformer substations, as well as modular boiler houses and cogeneration plants that ensure the vitality of Kharkiv after the attacks on the thermal power station.
In addition, the attacker was looking for information about the locations of territorial picking centers. For this, under the guise of everyday conversations, he questioned acquaintances who visited such objects, and later photographed the buildings.
According to the case file, he coordinated his actions with a current employee of the FSB, whose identity has already been established by the SBU. Employees of the Security Service documented the agent’s actions, carried out a set of measures to protect defense and energy facilities, and then detained the suspect. During the search, a mobile phone with evidence of espionage activity was seized from him.
SBU investigators informed the man of suspicion under 2 Art. 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — treason committed under martial law. He is currently being held without bail. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property. The special operation was carried out by SBU employees in the Kharkiv region under the procedural guidance of the regional prosecutor’s office.
