SBU exposes Russian agent who tried to get job at defense plant in Zaporizhzhia

The agent intended to pass coordinates of local enterprises working for the front to Russia, Ukrinform reports, citing the SBU.

The suspect turned out to be an employee of a Zaporizhzhia-based industrial plant who had been recruited by Russian intelligence services.

Under the pretext of looking for a new job, he attended a job interview at one of the Ukrainian defense industry enterprises.

During the introductory meeting, the agent immediately began asking questions about the security system of the restricted facility during air raid alerts.

While on the premises of the production workshop, he attempted to obtain information about the presence of anti-drone nets inside the facility and air defense systems around the perimeter of the industrial zone.

Investigators established that in addition to gathering intelligence during the interview, the suspect also walked around the city, documenting locations and photographing the facades of other enterprises fulfilling defense contracts.

He stored the collected information on his smartphone and reported it to his Russian handler. The suspect communicated with his curator through an anonymous chat in a messenger app.

SBU cyber specialists detained the agent and carried out a set of measures to secure the region's defense infrastructure facilities.

Investigators notified him of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law).

The man is currently being held in custody without the right to post bail. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The SBU and the National Police of Ukraine earlier exposed a criminal group that had been preparing contract killings on behalf of Russian intelligence services.

Photo credit: SBU