The male suspect used food delivery routes to gather sensitive military information about Ukrainian defence positions and transmitted it to an identified Russian intelligence agent.
Ukraine’s Security Service reports that a 34-year old volunteer for the UN World Food Programme was detained in Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast under suspicion of gathering information for Russia‘s Federal Security Service.
Since Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine in the year 2022, Russian agents have been especially active. Their operations include espionage and sabotage against Ukrainian officials. The FSB recruits agents who are often motivated by personal ambitions, or by ideological alignment with Russian interest. Other people may be coerced by financial incentives or promises of protection.
The suspect used his humanitarian aid routes to gather information about Ukrainian infantry and gun positions near Pokrovsk – an area where Russian forces are advancing heavily.
According to the SBU, he then sent the data gathered via messenger to his Russian handler who was identified as an FSB agent.
This intelligence was reportedly used by Russian forces to plan attacks against Pokrovsk, using guided aerial bombs as well as FPV drones.
Ukraine’s Security Service claims to have detained a volunteer for the UN World Food Programme, aged 34, in Donetsk Oblast of Ukraine on suspicion that he was gathering intelligence for Russia’s Federal Security Service.
The man used his humanitarian aid delivery routes to… pic.twitter.com/XzhgYOVZRr– Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) October 28, 2024
During the arrest, the investigators seized a cell phone containing evidence that the FSB handler had communicated with him anonymously through a chat.
The suspect was charged with state treason, under martial law. This could result in a life sentence and confiscation of property.
Under the supervision of Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Office, SBU officers conducted the investigation in Donetsk- and Luhansk-oblasts.
The World Food Programme is yet to comment on the arrest of a volunteer.
In August, the SBU neutralized a large Russian FSB spynet operating in six regions. They were involved in assisting missile and drone attacks. They could also face life imprisonment.
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