Russian agents posing as newlyweds arrested for spying in Odesa
Source: Security Service of Ukraine
Ukraine’s Security Service, SBU, said Thursday it has detained two Russian FSB spies who used a diguies of a newlywed couple to spy on the “maritime defense” of the Odesa region to help Russia pinpoint it strikes on “military infrastructure” sites.
According to the SBU, a 23-year-old Odesa native and his 18-year-old “fiancée” were gathering intelligence at the border guard service sites at Ukraine’s major port city. Acting as a loving couple on a strall, they secretly took pictures of the military-related sites and later sent them to a Russian secret service operative.
The investigation found the spies had been also ordered to put up 100 “provocative leaflets” complaining about the conscription campaign, and set fire to a local power substation.
Recruited this May through an anonymous Telegram channel while discussing conscription issues, the man later found help from his girlfriend.
The spies are now facing treason charges under Articles 111, 114 of Ukraine Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Amendments to Ukraine’s enforcement proceedings legislation, initiated by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, have entered into force. Among other measures, the reform provides for the automated lifting of attachments on bank accounts immediately after debts in enforcement proceedings have been fully settled. The main practical benefit for citizens is the complete elimination of the need to contact an enforcement officer in person and wait for paper decisions once the debt has been paid.
The 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade has received another batch of supplies as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative. This time, the military received seven quad bikes and four mobile shower and bath units.
In my previous column, I wrote about social innovations in Ukraine. Those innovations are part of civic resilience and the democratization of security, which Europe is paying close attention to right now. The EU is trying to work out how to spread responsibility for its own security across society as a whole, rather than leaving it to institutions alone. It is looking for concrete ways to bring ordinary people into the work of defense and resistance.
Petro Poroshenko’s lawyers have appealed to the High Anti-Corruption Court demanding that NABU be obligated to register proceedings regarding the fact of exerting influence on the court and to recognize Petro Poroshenko as a victim in the case of the Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Iryna Mudra, due to her pressure on Supreme Court judges who were considering a lawsuit to overturn sanctions.
Internationally recognized brands and financial institutions should direct capital to Ukraine now, not waiting for the hostilities to end. This was emphasized by Rinat Akhmetov, president of FC Shakhtar, during a working visit to UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, where he met with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.