--- title: "Hunt for F-16 and Mirage: SBU dismantled GRU network preparing strikes on Ukrainian airbases" description: "🚨 SBU dismantled a GRU network preparing strikes on airfields with F-16 and Mirage 2000. 14 people detained, including a \"mole\" in the Air Force. 4 channels and 10 groups in Telegram blocked. Investigation ongoing. #SBU #GRU #Ukraine #F16 #Mirage2000" date: 2026-08-13T10:04:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/hunt-for-f-16-and-mirage-sbu-dismantled-gru-network-preparing-strikes-on-ukrainian-airbases tags: [ukraine-war, sbu, gru, f16, mirage-2000, counterintelligence] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Hunt for F-16 and Mirage: SBU dismantled GRU network preparing strikes on Ukrainian airbases ![SBU officers in camouflage uniforms with emblems on helmets and backpacks, participating in an operation to dismantle the GRU network preparing attacks on Ukrainian airbases.](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/13/sbo-likvidirovala-set-gru-gotovivshuyu-udary-po-aerodromam-s-f16-i-mirage-2000/sbo-likvidirovala-set-gru-gotovivshuyu-udary-po-aerodromam-s-f16-i-mirage-2000-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - SBU dismantled a GRU network preparing strikes on airfields with F-16 and Mirage 2000. - The network consisted of 14 people, including a "mole" in the Air Force. - 4 channels and 10 groups in Telegram disseminating secret data were blocked. - The investigation is ongoing; the detained have been informed of suspicion of crimes against national security. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted a large-scale counterintelligence operation, during which an agent network of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GRU) of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation was completely neutralized. The perpetrators planned to launch strikes on strategically important airfields where the latest Western fighters, F-16 and Mirage 2000, are based. The operation was carried out under the personal control of the head of the SBU, Oleksandr Lytvynenko. ### Structure and methods of the agent network According to the investigation, the enemy group consisted of 14 people from various regions of Ukraine. The organizer of the network turned out to be a resident of Lviv who administered a popular Telegram channel dedicated to aviation. Russian special services took notice of him after he began publishing photos of Ukrainian aircraft in pro-Kremlin chats. To carry out the task, the Lviv resident "blindly" recruited 13 of his subscribers β€” people who possessed high-quality photographic equipment and lived near airbases. They hid in abandoned buildings or in open areas, photographing Ukrainian airfields, aircraft, personnel, and also recording take-off and landing times, ostensibly for a blogger's channel. ### Internal "mole" in the ranks of the Air Force In addition to civilian agents, a commander of one of the Air Force of Ukraine squadrons also passed intelligence to the enemy. According to the investigation, he acted on his own initiative and passed flight and landing schedules of combat helicopters to a Russian agent. All collected data was uploaded by the suspects to an online storage, from where the organizer transferred it to an established handler in the Russian Federation. During searches of the detained individuals, smartphones and digital photographic equipment with evidence of working for Russian intelligence and photos of military facilities were seized. ### Blocking channels for the dissemination of secret information SBU officers blocked 4 channels and 10 thematic groups in Telegram where secret data about Ukrainian air units was disseminated. This made it possible to prevent further leakage of information and reduce risks to national security. The detained agent, his accomplice, and the military commander were informed of suspicion of committing crimes against the foundations of national security. The investigation is ongoing. ### Contradictory data Although official sources confirm the fact of the liquidation of the GRU network, there are differences in the details. Some experts point out that the exact number of detained persons may be higher than the declared 14, as the investigation is ongoing. In addition, there is a version that part of the data may have been transferred even before the operation, which requires additional verification. Nevertheless, all sources agree that the network was completely neutralized, and the threat to airbases with F-16 and Mirage 2000 has been eliminated. ### Context and consequences Russia is increasingly using so-called "honeypot traps" to track and kill Ukrainian military personnel. Russian special services are looking for potential targets, in particular on dating sites. Recently in Odesa, law enforcement officers detained three agents of Russian special services who organized two terrorist acts with car bombings on July 28. As a result of the explosions, a civilian driver died, and a military man and a passenger were injured. These events highlight the need to strengthen counterintelligence measures and protect the rear from sabotage actions. ## πŸ” Fact-Check Verification - [GRU network "hunted" for F-16 and Mirage 2000](https://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/np/_set-gru-ohotilas-za-f16-i-mirage-2000/1256519) - ΠŸΠΎΠ΄Ρ‚Π²Π΅Ρ€ΠΆΠ΄Π°Π΅Ρ‚ Ρ„Π°ΠΊΡ‚ Π»ΠΈΠΊΠ²ΠΈΠ΄Π°Ρ†ΠΈΠΈ сСти Π“Π Π£ ΠΈ задСрТания 14 Ρ‡Π΅Π»ΠΎΠ²Π΅ΠΊ. - [GRU agents "hunted" for F-16 and Mirage β€” SBU](https://telegrafua.com/news/ahenty-hru-okhotylys-na-f-16-y-mirage-sbu/) - ΠŸΠΎΠ΄Ρ‚Π²Π΅Ρ€ΠΆΠ΄Π°Π΅Ρ‚ ΠΌΠ΅Ρ‚ΠΎΠ΄Ρ‹ Ρ€Π°Π±ΠΎΡ‚Ρ‹ сСти ΠΈ Π±Π»ΠΎΠΊΠΈΡ€ΠΎΠ²ΠΊΡƒ Telegram-ΠΊΠ°Π½Π°Π»ΠΎΠ². - [Prepared strikes by Russians on airfields with F-16 and Mirage 2000: SBU detained "traitor"](https://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/np/_gotovil-udary-rashistov-po-aerodromam-s-f16-i-mirage-2000-sbu-zaderzhala-predatelya/1225720) - ΠŸΠΎΠ΄Ρ‚Π²Π΅Ρ€ΠΆΠ΄Π°Π΅Ρ‚ Ρ„Π°ΠΊΡ‚ Π»ΠΈΠΊΠ²ΠΈΠ΄Π°Ρ†ΠΈΠΈ сСти Π“Π Π£ ΠΈ задСрТания 14 Ρ‡Π΅Π»ΠΎΠ²Π΅ΠΊ. - [Prepared strikes on airfields with F-16 and Mirage 2000: "mole" found in Air Force](https://glavred.info/ukraine/gotovil-udary-po-aerodromam-s-f-16-i-mirage-2000-v-vvs-nashli-krota-10685768.html) - ΠŸΠΎΠ΄Ρ‚Π²Π΅Ρ€ΠΆΠ΄Π°Π΅Ρ‚ Ρ„Π°ΠΊΡ‚ задСрТания ΠΊΠΎΠΌΠ°Π½Π΄ΠΈΡ€Π° ΡΡΠΊΠ°Π΄Ρ€ΠΈΠ»ΡŒΠΈ ΠΈ Π΅Π³ΠΎ Ρ€ΠΎΠ»ΡŒ Π² ΠΏΠ΅Ρ€Π΅Π΄Π°Ρ‡Π΅ Π΄Π°Π½Π½Ρ‹Ρ…. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Who organized the GRU agent network? **A:** The organizer of the network turned out to be a resident of Lviv who administered a Telegram channel about aviation. ### Q: How many people were in the network? **A:** The network consisted of 14 people, including 13 subscribers of the organizer and one "mole" in the Air Force. ### Q: What data was passed to Russian special services? **A:** Photos of airfields, aircraft, personnel, as well as flight and landing schedules of combat helicopters were passed. ### Q: Were channels for the dissemination of secret information blocked? **A:** Yes, the SBU blocked 4 channels and 10 thematic groups in Telegram. ### Q: Is the investigation ongoing? **A:** Yes, the investigation is ongoing; the detained have been informed of suspicion of crimes against national security.