**Ukrainian Officer Arrested for Working as Russian Mole**
A high-ranking Ukrainian officer has been arrested and charged with treason and espionage. The officer, who was in command of a unit in the Special Operations Forces, had been passing sensitive military information to Russian troops.
According to reports, the officer had been transmitting critical details about Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance missions in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts, as well as occupied Crimea. This intelligence was being used by Russian forces to target Ukrainian Defense Forces stationed at the front lines and in occupied areas of southern Ukraine.
The officer is believed to have been recruited by the Russian military intelligence agency (GRU) before Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. They started receiving tasks from the GRU in the spring of 2024 and were arrested on November 15.
**Treason Charges**
The suspect faces severe penalties, including life imprisonment and asset forfeiture upon conviction. The arrest is not an isolated incident – it’s the third time this year that the SBU has uncovered Russian infiltration within Ukrainian ranks.
In August, the SBU uncovered a Russian intelligence cell that included two former members of ex-President Viktor Yanukovych‘s security detail and an active member of Ukraine’s National Guard. Another individual was arrested in Kharkiv for passing information to Russian forces about the city’s air defense systems and the positions of Ukrainian troops and fortifications.
**Statement from Special Operations Forces**
The command of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces confirmed the detention of the commander and said they had been aware of the investigative actions regarding this serviceman. They added that special forces operators continue to fulfill their tasks, destroy the enemy, and liberate Ukrainian land from occupiers.
“The lives of our soldiers will always be at risk when there are traitors among us,” a statement read. “Those who try to interfere with our missions and put our soldiers in danger will be exposed and brought to justice.”
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