A Russian national employed by a company producing classified goods for the military has been caught selling intelligence to Ukraine, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) reported on Tuesday.
The man, who is in his mid-40s and was not identified by name, leaked secrets to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, the statement said. According to footage showing the apprehension and interview with the suspect, his cooperation with Kiev started roughly six months ago. He said he shared details about a modern military device, as well as the coordinates of Russian military bases with Kiev in exchange for compensation.
The suspect faces a minimum sentence of 12 years in prison if convicted. He is cooperating with the investigation, the FSB said. The statement stressed that the betrayal exposed Russian forces involved in the Ukraine conflict to additional risks.
Russian officials have accused Kiev of masterminding multiple plots against the country, including targeted assassinations. The latest high-profile case took place earlier this month, when a remotely triggered bomb killed General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia’s Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Protection Forces, and his assistant. The FSB has detained a suspect in the case, who was allegedly promised a reward of $100,000 for carrying out the murder on behalf of Kiev.