- Category
- Latest news
Ukraine Foils Kharkiv Breach, Exposes Russian Agent Who Spied to Repay Casino Debts
- Authors
![Photo of Maryna Kulakova]( "Photo of Maryna Kulakova")
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) uncovered a mole within the Defense Forces, who had been orchestrating a "breakthrough" for Russian forces in the Kharkiv region, the SBU reported on July 30.
The military counterintelligence unit detained a 26-year-old mobilized man, recruited by the Russian forces via a Telegram channel offering "easy money." He agreed to cooperate in exchange for money to cover his gambling debts.
"The SBU conducted comprehensive operations to ensure the security of Ukrainian military bases and movement routes on that section of the front," the statement read.
The SBU reported that the traitor was directing Russian airstrikes and heavy artillery onto the positions of his own unit, which was holding back the Russian advance near the town of Velikiy Burluk. The suspect would leave the shelling zone under false pretenses and gather information for the FSB on the locations of nearby Ukrainian Defense Forces units. The Russian forces hoped to use the information for future "breakthrough" operations.
-3fc44fab0e43e2670ac27762cecea3fb.png)
The SBU caught the spy while he was marking the location of Ukrainian defenders near the front lines. His phone, which contained evidence, was seized during the arrest.
The SBU also identified the Russian handler: Alexey Suprunenko, a native of Sevastopol and an FSB officer. Suprunenko had previously served in Ukraine's law enforcement but defected and switched allegiance to the Russian forces.
The suspect has been charged under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (treason committed under martial law). The FSB handler was also charged with treason.
The detained agent is being held in custody without the right to bail, and he faces a life sentence with confiscation of property.
Previously, SBU has thwarted a Russian-backed plot to assassinate Serhii Filimonov, commander of the 108th Separate Battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, also known as the “Da Vinci Wolves.” According to the investigation, the operation was orchestrated by Russia’s Federal Security Service.
