KHARKIV, UKRAINE, Feb 21 — The SBU suspects a 34-year-old Kharkiv resident of directing Russian missile attacks on civilian buildings in the city. She is in custody, reported SBU spokesman Vladyslav Abdula. 

According to the investigation, after the shelling of the Kyivskyi and Kholodnohirskyi districts of Kharkiv on January 23, the suspect had to arrive at the hit sites to collect information about the damaged infrastructure and the victims.

The spokesman reminded that on January 23 this year, at around 10 p.m., Russians fired S-300 and Kh-22 missiles at Kyivskyi and Kholodnohirskyi districts of the city. 

The attack damaged private houses, an educational institution, and a postal enterprise. The damage forced 16 civilians, including two children, to move out. The Russian missile attack injured nine residents of the city.

SBU officers detained the suspect while she was conducting surveillance near the houses that Russian troops shelled. Investigators seized the woman’s phone, in which they found anonymous chats in a messenger where the suspect communicated with Russians.

Law enforcement officers found out that the Kharkiv resident passed the coordinates of the most densely populated areas of the city to the Russians. She also sent geolocations of buildings that she assumed the Defence Forces could use. In addition, she collected intelligence on the routes of movement of the Armed Forces units in the direction of the eastern section of the frontline.

Screenshots of chats with Russians found by investigators (Gwara’s translation in red.) / Source: Vladyslav Abdula’s Facebook
Screenshots of chats with Russians found by investigators (Gwara’s translation in red.) / Source: Vladyslav Abdula’s Facebook

“After the first communication session with the occupiers, the woman received an “advance payment” from them [Russians — ed.] for further reconnaissance and subversive activities against Ukraine,” Vladyslav Abdula noted.

The SBU investigators have served the detainee a notice of suspicion under Part 2 Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law). The woman is in custody. She faces life imprisonment.

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