News Feed

SBU detains spy accused of directing Russian strikes on Zaporizhzhia

1 min read
SBU detains spy accused of directing Russian strikes on Zaporizhzhia
A Ukrainian citizen accused of spying for Russia arrested by an officer of the Security Service of Ukraine in a photo posted on Dec. 18, 2023. (SBU/Telegram)

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained a Ukrainian citizen who allegedly spied for Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) to help direct a Russian attack on the city of Zaporizhzhia, in which five people died, the SBU reported on Dec. 18.

The man was allegedly remotely recruited by the FSB in October and subsequently formed his own networks of informants to scour Zaporizhzhia in search of the positions of Ukrainian troops and defenses.

The conspirators then are accused of taking pictures and videos of different suspected locations, which they shared with their FSB contacts.

A building in central Zaporizhzhia was allegedly struck as a result of the spying. Five people died, and another five were seriously injured.

The SBU said that the man has been charged with treason and faces life in prison if convicted.

Ukraine war latest: Military says Russia committing more reserves in attempt to capture Kupiansk
Key updates on Dec. 16-17: * Military: Russia committing more reserves in attempt to capture Kupiansk * Military Intelligence confirms incursion into Russia’s Belgorod Oblast * Defense minister urges local authorities to contribute to mobilization * Media: Austria backs EU sanctions package aft…
Article image

Avatar
Nate Ostiller

News Editor

Nate Ostiller is a former News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. He works on special projects as a researcher and writer for The Red Line Podcast, covering Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and focused primarily on digital misinformation, memory politics, and ethnic conflict. Nate has a Master’s degree in Russian and Eurasian Studies from the University of Glasgow, and spent two years studying abroad at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Ukraine. Originally from the USA, he is currently based in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Read more
News Feed

The World Bank will provide $200 million over the next five years to prepare Ukrainian projects for large-scale reconstruction, the Economy Ministry announced on July 11. The funding will be available under the five-year PREPARE program with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA).

Video

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, war has become a daily reality for thousands of Ukrainian children. Some Ukrainian military units, such as the Azov Brigade, offer boot camps for teenagers to teach them the basics of self-defense, first aid, dry firing, and other survival skills — helping them prepare for both the realities of today and the uncertainties of the future.

Show More