They worked for the FSB: SSU detains a deacon of the UOC-MP and a psychotherapist who spied on Kharkiv's defenders. Photos

The Security Service of Ukraine exposed and detained two FSB agents in Kharkiv. They were a local psychotherapist and a deacon of the Kharkiv diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate).

According to the investigation, they passed information to Russian special services about the Ukrainian military, the deployment of units and the routes of movement of the city's defenders. This was reported by the SSU press service and the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office.

The psychotherapist, using the trust of his patients, including soldiers undergoing rehabilitation after combat missions, asked them for important information. To get more information, he involved a deacon of a local cathedral in espionage activities, who covertly collected data from parishioners.

The attackers passed the information to the Russian secret service through secure communication channels. The doctor prepared reports and sent them to his direct supervisor from Russia via messenger, using a separate phone and SIM card, which he hid in the mailbox of his house.

However, such secrecy measures did not help them. The SSU documented the criminal activity and detained both agents at their residences. During the searches, the SSU seized cell phones, computer equipment and other evidence of cooperation with the FSB.

According to counterintelligence, the doctor was recruited by Russian special services several years ago, but for some time he was in the status of a "sleeper agent". In the spring of 2024, the FSB remotely activated him for subversive activities in Kharkiv. In addition to collecting intelligence, the man also justified Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine and openly expressed contempt for Ukrainians, talking about the need to "liberate" the territories of our country. The unlawful nature of the man's statements was confirmed by the conclusion of the relevant examination.

The SSU investigators served the detainees a notice of suspicion of committing crimes under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Part 2 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 111 (high treason committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons under martial law); and Part 1 of Article 436-2 (justification of Russian armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants).

The court imposed on them a pre-trial restraint in the form of detention without bail. The offenders face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

As a reminder, during a special operation, the SSU detained a Russian agent who received a task from his supervisor and planned to plant explosives near the base points of the Defense Forces in the city. The key targets of the enemy were reserve command posts and permanent locations of the Armed Forces and the National Guard of Ukraine.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, three men working for Russia were detained in Dnipropetrovs'k region. They committed a terrorist attack near the district territorial procurement center building in Pavlohrad on the order of the enemy special services. The traitors face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

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