The SSU neutralized an agent group collecting intelligence on the defense of the Black Sea regions. Three agents were detained during a special operation in the Mykolaiv Region.

Detainees collected information about combat positions, movements of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, and geolocation of strategic critical infrastructure objects.

The Security Service of Ukraine informed about this.

To disguise their activities, the agents involved their relatives and other local residents as informants.

“The members of the group sent text messages with received information and photos with coordinates to their Russian curator. They used anonymous Telegram channels created in advance,” the SSU said.

The investigation established that the agent network was formed by the special services of the Russian Federation to collect intelligence and conduct subversive activities.

“In addition to collecting intelligence, the attackers agitated people to support the occupiers and justified their crimes. Thus, they tried to destabilize the situation in the region and expand the circle of their accomplices,” the SSU message reads.

Currently, the detainees are suspects of multiple crimes according to the Ukrainian law, namely:

• Part 3 of Art. 114-2 (distribution of information about the transportation, movement, or location of the Armed Forces of Ukraine),
• Part 2 of Art. 111 (high treason),
• Part 3 of Art. 436-2 (justification, recognition as legitimate, denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

A pre-trial investigation is underway to bring to justice other persons involved.