Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has detained two Russian agents in the Kyiv region who were involved in covert operations helping Russia’s military drone attacks on Ukraine.
According to the investigation, the suspects, both residents of the capital region, one of whom is a former law enforcement officer, were acting on instructions from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). Their main task was to procure and smuggle Ukrainian SIM cards to Russia, where they were used to enhance the communication and navigation systems of Russian combat drones.
To avoid detection, the agents first sent the SIM cards to accomplices in European Union countries. From there, the cards were forwarded to Russia, specifically to the cities of Naberezhnye Chelny and Yelabuga in Tatarstan, where factories producing combat UAVs are located.
Additionally, the agents attempted to recruit employees of Ukrainian mobile service providers to gain insider access to sensitive data and operations.
SBU counterintelligence documented the agents’ activities and detained them during a special operation. During searches, authorities seized smartphones containing evidence of communication with FSB handlers and foreign collaborators, as well as SIM cards prepared for trafficking to Russia.
The detainees have been formally charged under Article 111, Part 2 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code (high treason committed under martial law). If convicted, they face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.