In the Kharkiv region, the SBU detained a pair of “volunteers” who were spying for the Russian Federation

A couple was detained in Kharkiv region who collected information for Russian military intelligence under the guise of zoo volunteers.

This was reported by the Security Service of Ukraine.

Law enforcement officers detained a local unemployed man and his cohabitant. According to the investigation, they worked as a couple — transmitted information so that the Russians could more accurately launch missile and bomb strikes on Kharkiv and the surrounding areas.

For the conspiracy, they posed as volunteers helping homeless animals. To do this, they equipped an improvised shelter in their own yard.

Under the guise of searching for abandoned animals, the couple traveled around the area and recorded geolocations for fire damage. In addition, the suspects asked for information from local residents.

The investigation also established that the suspects were recruited by their fellow villager, who has been fighting against Ukrainian troops in eastern Ukraine since 2014.

During the searches, mobile phones containing evidence of their communication with Russian intelligence were seized from the detainees.

Currently, the SBU has informed them of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — treason committed by a group of persons in a pre-arranged conspiracy under martial law.

The suspects are in custody. They face life imprisonment and confiscation of property.