Kharkiv banker arrested over spying for Russian intelligence
Source: Ukraine’s Security Service
Ukraine’s Security Service, the SBU, said on Wednesday it has arrested a bank employee in Kharkiv over alleged espionage.
The detained individual was working as an accomplice to another Russian spy, who had been arrested by the SBU in July.
Investigation found that the suspect, who worked as a bank manager, was tasked by his Russian handlers to snoop on Ukrainian defense locations around Kharkiv. Traveling on his car around the city suburbs, the man secretly filmed the military sites on his phone.
He had also collected information on the scenes of Russian airstrikes on Kharkiv, and later handed it over to his Russian handlers during personal meetings and through encrypted messaging apps.
During the search of his residencs, the SBU operatives seized a mobile phone he used for his spying operations.
The man is now facing treason and espionage charged under Art. 111, 114 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code.
On October 6, the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court of Ukraine continued hearing case No. 990/80/25, in which the fifth President and leader of the party “European Solidarity”, Petro Poroshenko, seeks to have Presidential Decree No. 81/2025 from February 12, 2025 — enacting sanctions by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) — declared illegal and annulled. The plaintiff claims the document was falsified and that the sanctions are a tool of political persecution of the opposition, contrary to international norms. Government representatives deny the allegations and insist their actions were lawful. Journalists of Bukvy were present at the hearing.
Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group has completed the construction of an upgraded underground NATO Role 2 hospital in one of the hottest sectors of the frontline. This is the second stabilization point established under the Steel Front initiative in cooperation with the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new facility, funded by Metinvest with an investment of UAH 21 million, is more secure than the first one thanks to its deeper location underground (over 6 meters) and additional fortifications.
Five armored vehicles “Kozak” have received a new mission – thanks to the support of Metinvest, they have been upgraded to full-fledged command and staff vehicles. These upgraded vehicles are now operating on the front line.
A kamikaze drone flies directly toward an armored personnel carrier. But instead of penetrating the hull, it explodes on a steel screen. The crew survives. This is the new reality for Ukrainian forces, who have received enhanced protection thanks to the Metinvest project within “Steel Front of Rinat Akhmetov”.
To commemorate the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, “Bukvy” has compiled data on the largest donors supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Among them there are charitable foundations and businesses. The list includes, in particular, foundations that provide assistance exclusively from their own resources, without fundraising (such as SCM by Rinat Akhmetov, Epicenter, etc.).