---
title: "SBU in Mykolaiv Arrests Russian Agent Within Air Assault Forces Preparing Missile Strike on Brigade HQ"
description: "SBU and GUR MO in Mykolaiv arrested a mobilized air assault soldier who, on orders from the FSB, was preparing to coordinate a missile strike on the brigade HQ where the colonel-commander was located. The agent was caught while transmitting the final coordinates."
date: 2026-11-12T17:27:56.446Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/sbu-arrests-russian-mole-in-air-assault-forces
tags: [ukraine, sbu, fsb, dsbv, counterintelligence, mykolaiv, military]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# SBU in Mykolaiv Arrests Russian Agent Within Air Assault Forces Preparing Missile Strike on Brigade HQ

![A group of Ukrainian SBU special forces in tactical gear standing on duty](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/12/sbu-zaderzhala-rossiyskogo-krota-v-dshv-gotovivshego-likvidatsiyu-kombriga/sbu-zaderzhala-rossiyskogo-krota-v-dshv-gotovivshego-likvidatsiyu-kombriga-1.webp)

## Key Points

- SBU and GUR MO thwarted an assassination attempt against an air assault brigade commander in Mykolaiv
- The agent was recruited via Telegram and communicated with an FSB handler in an anonymous chat
- The agent's task was to coordinate a real-time missile strike on the brigade HQ
- The suspect faces high treason charges under martial law (Part 2, Article 111 of the CC)

Military counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine, together with the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense and with the support of the Armed Forces command, has thwarted an assassination attempt against the commander of an air assault brigade. A mobilized serviceman was arrested in Mykolaiv who, according to the investigation, worked for the Russian FSB and was preparing to coordinate a missile strike on the combat unit's headquarters, where the brigade commander, a colonel, was supposed to be at the time of the planned attack.

### How Recruitment Took Place via Telegram

According to investigative materials, the suspect attracted the attention of Russian intelligence services while seeking contacts in thematic Telegram channels. After being recruited, he established direct communication with an FSB handler via an anonymous chat in the messenger. It was through this channel that the agent received instructions and transmitted collected information. SBU officers seized the detainee's smartphone, which contained correspondence with the Russian intelligence operative confirming preparations for the officer's liquidation.

### What the 'Mole' Was Preparing

Using his position as a driver in the unit, the suspect systematically gathered data on the locations of the air assault brigade's command. In addition, he passed information to the enemy about storage points and launch sites for Ukrainian Armed Forces strike drones. The agent's key task, according to the investigation, was to coordinate a missile strike in real-time directly on the combat unit's headquarters. At the time of the arrest, the man was preparing to send the final coordinates of the military facility to his handler.

### Arrest Details and Legal Consequences

SBU officers proactively ensured the safety of the Ukrainian paratroopers' locations and arrested the suspect on the territory of the unit in Mykolaiv. The suspect has been remanded in custody without the possibility of bail. Investigators notified him of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — high treason committed under martial law. The maximum penalty for this article provides for life imprisonment.

### Context: A Series of Similar Operations

The arrest in Mykolaiv is part of a series of counterintelligence operations conducted in recent weeks. Recently, the SBU, together with the police, thwarted an attempt by two repeat offenders to shell or blow up buildings of territorial recruitment centers in the center of Kyiv — the perpetrators were acting on behalf of Russian special services. Earlier in the capital, an FSB agent was also detained who was preparing for the mass activation of Starlink terminals for the needs of the occupation forces. Experts note that all three episodes demonstrate a consistent pattern of the Russian intelligence apparatus: recruitment through open digital channels, the use of internal 'moles' within Ukrainian Armed Forces structures, and attempts to destabilize Ukraine's rear.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Готовил ликвидацию комбрига: СБУ задержала российского "крота" в ДШВ в Николаеве](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/gotuvav-likvidatsiyu-kombriga-sbu-zatrimala-1794498589.html) - Primary source. Full description of the operation, recruitment, agent's tasks, and legal qualification.
- [СБУ и ГУР разоблачили российского "крота" в рядах украинских десантников, который готовил ...](https://www.obozrevatel.com/section-rozsliduvannya/news-sbu-i-hur-vykryly-rosiyskoho-krota-u-lavakh-ukrayinskykh-desantnykiv-yakyy-hotuvav-likvidatsiyu-kombryha-zsu-foto-12-11-2026.html) - Confirms SBU and GUR involvement, the fact of thwarting the assassination, and the arrest in Mykolaiv.
- [Готовил ракетный удар по штабу: СБУ задержала "крота", который планировал ликвидацию комбрига ВСУ](https://24tv.ua/ru/sbu-zaderzhala-agenta-fsb-v-dshv-on-gotovil-raketnyj-udar-s-celju-likvidacii-kombriga_n3179177) - Confirms details: mobilized status, colonel rank, preparation to transmit coordinates, seizure of smartphone.
- [Российский агент в рядах десантников готовил ликвидацию комбрига ВСУ: СБУ показала переписку ...](https://glavnoe.in.ua/ru/novosti/rossyjskyj-ahent-v-ryadah-desantnykov-hotovyl-lykvydaczyyu-kombryha-vsu-sbu-pokazala-perepysku-krota) - Confirms the arrest and SBU's publication of the agent's correspondence with the handler.

## FAQ

### Who was the arrested agent preparing to liquidate?

According to the SBU, the agent was coordinating a missile strike on an air assault brigade's headquarters, where a colonel-rank brigade commander was expected to be present during the attack.

### How was the agent recruited?

The individual attracted the attention of Russian intelligence while looking for contacts in thematic Telegram channels and subsequently communicated with an FSB handler via anonymous chat.

### Under what article was the criminal case initiated?

SBU investigators notified the suspect of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — high treason committed under martial law.

### Where and when was the agent arrested?

The arrest took place on the grounds of an air assault unit in Mykolaiv as the man was preparing to send final coordinates of the military object to the FSB handler.