Case Summary
A 32-year-old Kyiv IT specialist was sentenced to life imprisonment for treason. According to the Security Service of Ukraine, he directed missile strikes on thermal power plants in the Kyiv region at the request of the FSB. He was detained in July 2025, and during a search, law enforcement officers seized a smartphone with “air corridors” mapped out for attacks on the capital’s energy facilities, bypassing Ukrainian air defenses. Kyiv.life reports this, as reported by the portal PromPolitInform.
How the convicted man acted
The investigation established that the Kyiv resident contacted the Russian intelligence service through Telegram channels, where he offered assistance in exchange for a monetary reward. After being recruited, he traveled around the capital region, recording the geolocation of operating energy facilities, photographing them with georeferenced data, and transmitting the coordinates to his supervisor. He also attempted to locate air defense units and included this data in reports. After the attacks, he visited the impact sites to assess the impact of the attacks and provide information to prepare follow-up strikes.
Court Decision
The court found him guilty under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – high treason committed under martial law. The investigation was conducted by SBU officers under the procedural guidance of the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment without parole.
Why are energy facilities targeted?
According to investigators, Russian intelligence agencies are actively attempting to obtain the coordinates of energy infrastructure, including combined heat and power plants. This data allows them to improve the accuracy of attacks and plan follow-up attacks after the facilities resume operation. During the massive strikes in February 2026, damage to energy systems led to power outages in major cities, including Kyiv.
Context
The SBU notes that since the start of the full-scale war, approximately 130 intelligence networks, comprising approximately 600 individuals, have been uncovered. The Security Service continues to counter the work of spotters and is strengthening the security of critical infrastructure. Law enforcement officials note that cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies during martial law is classified as treason and is punishable by the most severe penalties.
