Newlywed Russian spies caught in Odessa, face a long prison term

Officers of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained a couple in Odessa who were photographing Ukrainian strategic military facilities. The 23-year-old man and his 18-year-old partner were agents of the FSB. They operated undercover as "newlyweds." Now, they face a lengthy prison sentence.

Ukrainians have detained spies working for the Russian FSB in Odessa. The couple posed as "newlyweds" and gathered materials on Ukraine's military infrastructure.

The 23-year-old man and his 18-year-old partner focused, among other things, on locating positions in the Ukrainian Coast Guard. These units defend the waters adjacent to the port city of Odessa.

How did the spy couple operate? The FSB agents dressed like newlyweds and pretended to be doing a post-wedding photo shoot. Strategic facilities in Odessa were visible in the background of their photos.

The couple collected photos and forwarded them as part of a spy report. The data recipient was the "newlyweds" supervisor, who worked from the Russian Federation. The SBU established his identity.

These were not the only tasks for the spies in Odessa. The 23-year-old, among other things, put up over 100 propaganda posters opposing the general mobilization of Ukrainians. They also planned to set fire to a local power plant.

SBU officers secured the perpetrators' phones. They found the photos above and a history of conversations with a Russian FSB officer. Moreover, the couple also had a payment card (to handle funds provided by the Russians) and propaganda leaflets.

The 23-year-old and his 18-year-old partner face severe consequences for these subversive activities. The couple, currently in detention, could be sentenced to 8 years in prison.

The Security Service of Ukraine regularly publishes information about spies captured in Ukrainian towns. Recently, a gang that changed its appearance using numerous wigs was detained.