The Security Service of Ukraine says it prevented a series of Russian air strikes targeting railway infrastructure in Kharkiv region. In the course of a multi-stage special operation, the intelligence network run by the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (GRU) was exposed as its members were working to help the enemy launch high-precision strikes.
The main suspect in the case turned out to be Russian national, who serves as an abbot in one of the Kharkiv-based churches run by the UOC (Moscow Patriarchate). According to the SBU, the priest had been recruited by Russian intelligence even before the full-scale invasion.
After the start of the war, a GRU operative, who has now been identified, reached out to the cleric, tasking him with with collecting information about the schedules and routes of movement of freight trains carrying military equipment and ammunition in Kharkiv region.
To fulfill the task, the cleric involved an acquaintance of his, an employee of the local branch of the Ukrzaliznytsia railway operator. The official gave the priest access to official documents with information about the time of departure, arrival, and unloading of trains carrying cargo for Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
Intelligence was transmitted to the suspect’s Russian handler through an anonymous chat in one of the text messengers. Encryption symbols and “smileys” were used to ensure covertness. After each communication session, all correspondence was deleted.
The SBU exposed and detained enemy accomplices, thus preventing an attack on military targets.
The priest and his have been charged under Part 3 of Art. 114-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (unauthorized circulation of information on the movement of weapons and troops under martial law). They face up to 12 years in prison.
Both suspects are currently in custody while the investigation is underway to clarify whether the culprits are complicit in other crimes.
