SBU announces about the arrest of a Russian spy in the Transnistrian region
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained an agent of the Russian military intelligence service (GRU) near Odessa. He was a resident of the unrecognized Transnistrian region who was trying to obtain secret Ukrainian developments in the field of unmanned systems, the SBU reports on its Telegram account.
“To carry out the hostile task, the suspect arrived in Odesa Oblast and was tasked with recruiting a member of Ukraine’s Defense Forces working with drones. After establishing ‘contact’ with the Ukrainian serviceman, the agent hoped to obtain technical documentation on advanced strike and reconnaissance UAVs. Throughout the enemy operation, the spy reported to his handler — the ‘deputy defense minister of Transnistrian region,’ who collaborates with Russia’s GRU,” the statement read.
The SBU said it uncovered the suspected agent immediately upon his arrival in Ukraine, where he posed as a businessman claiming to import Ukrainian food products.
Law enforcement officials claim he was caught “red-handed” while attempting to acquire a flash drive containing classified UAV-related information. During his arrest, authorities found two handguns in his possession.
According to the investigation, the suspect intended to smuggle the information back to Transnistria to establish drone production for Russia. Based on the evidence collected, SBU investigators opened a criminal case on two charges: espionage and illegal handling of weapons. The suspect faces up to 15 years in prison, the cited source informs.
