The SSU Counterintelligence has detained the rector of a church in Sumy Diocese of moscow patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church who turned out to be a spotter for russian military intelligence (‘the GRU’).

As the investigation established, the cleric tracked the locations of combat units and fortifications of Ukrainian Defence Forces and passed them to ruscists. The enemy was interested in the coordinates of staffs and fortified areas in the border region.

The occupiers planned to strike these positions and create a ‘dead zone’ along the border, which would allow russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups to penetrate deep into Sumy region and consolidate their positions before the arrival of the main enemy forces.

The GRU approached the archpriest remotely via the Internet.

To gather the intelligence, he covertly elicited information from parishioners and then travelled to the area himself to check for military facilities.

After identifying potential targets, the traitor reported to his handler via voice and text messages in a messenger app.

The Security Service took action to protect the positions of the Defence Forces and detained the enemy accomplice at his home.

Pro-kremlin literature and a smartphone with evidence of collaboration with the russian special service were found during the searches of the suspect’s home.

SSU investigators notified the detainee of suspicion under Article 114-2.2 of the CCU (disseminating information on the movement or location of the AFU).

The suspect is in custody and faces up to 8 years in prison.

The operational and investigative measures were carried out by the SSU Office in Sumy region under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.