Ukraine caught a Russian mole trying to join the police to spy on the army

Cyber units of the Ukrainian Security Service were able to stop an attempt by Russia to infiltrate Ukraine’s National Police Force and spy on the country’s armed forces. This is what we know about the situation. 

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) tried to get a mole into Ukraine’s National Police Service with the expression mission to spy on the Ukrainian Armed Forces if he was able to join the police service.

Never miss a story! Click here to follow The Daily Digest.

“In case of successful enrolment, he was supposed to collect information on the law enforcement units – those of the Offensive Guard initiative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” a Ukrainian report noted. 

“The agent hoped to be able to collect data on the military personnel and equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as well,” the report continued, adding that the information would be used to direct air strikes. 

The alleged airstrikes were to be launched against Ukrainian Defense Force positions on the frontlines. But in order to ensure the man recruited for the mission was loyal to the man was given several tests. 

Russia’s prospective agent was asked to observe several locations around Kyiv. These included hospitals, defense plants, and military airfields. But that was not the only thing the man was asked to perform.  

The FSB also asked its prospective agent to collect as much information as he could on the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ mechanized brigades and he rented an apartment from a woman whose son was killed on the frontlines to accomplish this mission. 

Agents of the Ukrainian Security Service documented the man’s actions and detained the would-be Russian agent in his rented apartment. By the time of his arrest, the man had already applied to join the National Police. 

Photo Credit: Security Service of Ukraine

The prospective Russian mole was reported to be a resident of Brovary district and was recruited by the FSB in late 2023. Pro-Kremlin comments on Telegram brought the man to the attention of Russian intelligence.

The Ukrainian Security Service reported that in order to carry out the tasks given to him, the man drove to the necessary areas and the coordinates of targets. He later passed this information to his handlers. 

The FSB paid their prospective agent using a bank card. During a search of the suspect's home, a mobile phone was discovered that revealed more evidence of communication with his handlers. 

Photo Credit: Security Service of Ukraine

Investigators have now charged the man with crimes equivalent to high treason that he committed under martial law and he now faces life in prison for helping Russia. But this is not the only recent case.

The Ukrainian Security Service reports daily on the traitors and Russian agents that it captures working to undermine the defense of the country. For example, a March 22nd report updated readers on a different man accused of similar crimes in July 2022. 

Never miss a story! Click here to follow The Daily Digest.

This Russian agent had been providing Russian military intelligence with geo locations of defensive emplacements and tracking the location and movement of Ukrainian forces. He was given fifteen years in prison. 

Another story reported on March 26th revealed the capture of two FSB agents who tried to blow up a railway in Poltava to hinder the war effort. The men did not succeed but their mission revealed a worrying reality of war. 

Photo Credit: Security Service of Ukraine

Ukraine is faced not only with exterior pressure from Russia but also internal threats that emerge on a daily basis and aim to do whatever is possible to assist Moscow in winning the war to conquer the country. 

Photo Credit: Security Service of Ukraine