And Ukrainian Businessman Arrested

Illustration of Ukrainian SBU special forces. (Wikimedia Commons/Security Service of Ukraine)

JAKARTA - Suspected of being part of a Russian spy ring, a senior Ukrainian government official and businessman has been detained by Kyiv's security and intelligence services.

The Security Service (SBU) did not name the two suspects, but identified them as senior officials at the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers and heads of departments at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for business lobbying.

It said in a statement on the Telegram app, the SBU had carried out a "multi-stage special operation" to neutralize the alleged spy network.

"As a result, in Kyiv, the head of the department of the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers and the head of one of the directorates of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry were detained," the SBU said.

"These officials pass on a wide range of intelligence information to the adversary, from the state of our defense capabilities to state border arrangements and personal data of Ukrainian law enforcement officers," the SBU said.

Separately, the Russian side did not immediately comment on the SBU's statement regarding these arrests and intelligence activities.

The two main suspects are seen sitting in front of a Ukrainian flag in a video and saying they have cooperated with Moscow, which has been at war with Ukraine since Russia invaded its neighbor on February 24. It was not immediately clear if they spoke under pressure.

The SBU said Russia paid suspects anywhere from $2,000 to $15,000 per task, depending on the level of confidentiality and importance of the information. One of the men said in the video he had received a total of $33,000 for his activities, and another said he had received $27,000.

In addition, one who has the code name "Kireev", said he had been collaborating since 2016. Another said he had been doing the activity since 2019.