A Russian ‘mole’ uncovered in Ukraine’s special operations forces- SBU

Ukraine’s Security Service said on Friday they have arrested a high-ranking officer who turned out to be a mole spying for Russia’s GRU military intelligence.

The suspect, a lieutenant colonel and commander of a Special Operations Forces (SOF), was recruited by Russia’s military intelligence before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He is accused of disclosing plans of operations behind enemy lines to his Russian handlers.

The mole sent them information on sabotage and reconnaissance missions by Ukrainian SOF along key fronts, including Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea. His military rank made it possible for him to access sensitive information about troop movements, routes, weaponry, and targets while the GRU relied on this data to ambush and eliminate Ukrainian operatives either at the front or in occupied territories in southern Ukraine.

Beyond his primary role, he passed along details about other Ukrainian defense units to his Russian handlers.

The SBU’s military counterintelligence gathered evidence of his betrayal and eventually arrested him. During searches, the SBU seized covert communication devices, computers, phones, and data storage equipment from his possession.

Authorities have charged the suspect under Article 111 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code—treason under wartime conditions. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment and confiscation of property.