Former soldier spies in favour of Russian PMC Wagner in Zhytomyr

As a result of a special operation in the Zhytomyr Oblast, the counterintelligence service of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) detained a Russian agent known as Snarov, who was just about to flee abroad.

Source: Security Service of Ukraine and Zhytomyr Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Details: The agent turned out to be a former deputy commander of one of the Ukrainian military units, who resigned in the early 1990s.

A native of the Kherson Oblast, who now lives in Zhytomyr, is charged with high treason.

It is established that in July last year, the intelligence unit of the Wagner Group, the infamous Russian private military company, involved him in covert cooperation. According to the investigation, Russia carried out remote recruitment through the banned social network Vkontakte (also known as VK, the Russian online social medium and social networking service), which was actively used by the person involved.

On the instructions of his handlers, the former soldier collected intelligence about the movement of units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and also "took an interest" in the personal data of the current command staff of Ukrainian troops in the oblast.

In addition, he recorded the coordinates of street video surveillance systems that are located near the buildings of state authorities and law enforcement agencies. Invaders needed relevant information for planning and possible sabotage in the city.

The man collected information about the location of strategically important military facilities in Zhytomyr, the locations of military units and military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The obtained information was plotted on a map, photographed, and transmitted to the Russian invaders for possible use during planning and conducting combat operations. 

According to the SSU, the traitor passed photos of cards with  relevant marks to the "Wagnerites", using safe electronic communication channels.

The man was particularly active during September-October 2022. 

On the advice of a Russian handler, he called himself Snarov to conceal his true identity and criminal activities.

SSU counterintelligence officers gradually documented the criminal actions of the Russian agent and detained him on the eve of an attempt to escape abroad.

During a search of the detainee's place of residence, a laptop, mobile phone and maps of the region were found, which he used in subversive activities.

Based on the collected array of evidence, SSU investigators informed the enemy's accomplice of suspicion under Article 111.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law).

The court chose a preventive measure in the form of detention. 

An investigation is underway to establish all the circumstances of the crime.

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