SBU detains enemy agent plotting assassination of Third Army Corps commander

Military counterintelligence of the State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), with cooperation from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, has thwarted Russian attempts to liquidate the commander of the 3rd Army Corps, the SBU reported.

"As a result of proactive measures, a Russian agent was detained while preparing a targeted missile and bomb strike on the Ukrainian general’s location in the combat zone," the Ukrainian special service stated on its Telegram channel on Friday.

According to the agency, to coordinate the air attack, Russian intelligence recruited a UAV operator from a different brigade currently operating in the Kharkiv region. The investigation established that the suspect attempted to obtain information regarding the timing and location of the general’s arrival at his unit’s positions.

"To collect intelligence, the agent utilized his access to official information and attempted to covertly solicit classified data from his colleagues," the report noted. Additionally, the suspect intended to leak the locations of his own brigade’s headquarters and training center to the occupants for a separate strike.

SBU officers exposed the "mole" at the initial stage of his espionage activity, documented his contacts with the enemy, and secured the relevant Defense Forces locations. "In the final stage of the special operation, the agent was detained on the territory of the garrison. A smartphone used to maintain communication with the occupants was seized from him," the SBU informed.

Evidence suggests the suspect was recruited by Russian intelligence through his ex-wife, who resides in the temporarily occupied territory of the Zaporizhia region and works for the Russian Federation. To maintain secrecy, the agent regularly deleted his correspondence.

SBU investigators have notified the suspect of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law). The perpetrator is currently in custody.