Col Dmytro Kozyura, the chief of staff at Ukraine's anti-terrorism center, has been accused of sharing sensitive information with Russian authorities. His arrest by SBU leader Vasyl Malyuk highlights ongoing efforts to root out foreign agents within Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.
Ukrainian Intelligence Official Arrested on Suspicion of Russian Espionage
Ukrainian Intelligence Official Arrested on Suspicion of Russian Espionage
A senior member of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has been detained for allegedly acting as a Russian informant, raising concerns about espionage within the agency.
A high-ranking official within Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has been apprehended on allegations of espionage for Russia. Official sources have not disclosed the individual's name; however, local Ukrainian news outlets identify him as Colonel Dmytro Kozyura, who served as the chief of staff for the anti-terrorism division.
During a dramatic arrest shown on local media, SBU leader Vasyl Malyuk was witnessed handcuffing the suspect. According to an SBU announcement, there are at least 14 documented instances in which the suspect, referred to pejoratively as a "rat," allegedly colluded with Russian intelligence by gathering and relaying vital information.
The investigations utilized advanced techniques, including audio and video monitoring, along with access to the suspect's mobile devices and computers. Since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has conducted numerous operations aimed at unveiling Russian agents operating within its borders.
Malyuk reportedly played an active role in the investigation and spearheaded the operation that led to the arrest, subsequently updating President Volodymyr Zelensky on the findings. The investigation revealed that Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) initially recruited Kozyura in Vienna back in 2018, but operatives had suspended contact with him for several years, only reconnecting last December.
In a public statement, Malyuk highlighted the role of encrypted communication, stating, "Thanks to encrypted programme bookmarks, we got into the traitor's gadgets—mobile terminals, computers. We basically lived with him, conducted audio and video monitoring." The SBU has claimed to have effectively documented the suspect's intelligence activities aimed at aiding the enemy.
Malyuk emphasized the agency's commitment to "self-cleansing," affirming that despite attempts by foreign entities to infiltrate Ukraine's security apparatus, the SBU is prepared to identify and detain such individuals promptly.
