Ukrainian authorities detain alleged spy in security service
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An SBU officer stands guard during a raid on an Orthodox monastery in the capital Kyiv, over suspected "activities" of Russian agents.
PHOTO: AFP
KYIV - Investigators have detained a Ukrainian security official on suspicion of spying for Russia, authorities said on Thursday, part of an effort by Kyiv to weed out moles nearly a year into a war with Russia.
The official - a lieutenant-colonel in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) which joined the operation - had revealed the location of military checkpoints and other “secret information”, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) said.
He allegedly sent the data to his Russian handlers via email and a messaging app.
A search turned up mobile phones, Russian SIM cards, cash and other evidence proving “longstanding ties” to Russian state and law enforcement structures, the SBI added.
“Today, the service works as a single team and is doing the maximum for Ukraine’s victory,” said SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk, in a separate statement.
“And the self-cleansing of our ranks from traitors is an important part of this process.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fired the previous SBU director, a childhood friend, last July citing collaboration with Russia by officials in the powerful agency.
The search for spies and saboteurs - in everything from recently liberated territories to Russia-linked churches
