Odesa detains suspect in adjusting strikes on air defence units

Detention of a suspect. Photo: SBU

The Security Service of Ukraine detained an Odesa resident on suspicion of preparing a new series of Russian air strikes on the city.

According to the SSU, the enemy's potential targets included reserve command posts and administrative buildings of the Defence Forces.

According to investigators, the suspect was a 21-year-old unemployed man who wanted to make «a quick buck».

Law enforcement officials note that the suspect tried to identify and pass on to the occupiers the coordinates of the Armed Forces radar stations. Also, as the SSU adds, the man installed hidden cameras to obtain information about the presence of Ukrainian defenders at temporary or permanent bases.

«For example, he disguised one of them opposite the main entrance to the SSU administrative building. Agent «transferred the footage» from the video device's flash drive to his mobile phone, and then sent it to his Russian curator» via messenger, the statement said.

During the searches, the detainee was found to have video cameras with flash drives, as well as a phone and SIM cards, which he periodically changed to conceal communication with the occupiers. Based on the collected evidence, SSU investigators served him a notice of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law). The man is currently in custody. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Last month, a suspect was detained in Odesa for spying on Ukrainian Armed Forces ships defending Ukraine's maritime waters.