On 22/1, Ukraine's Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced the arrest of two alleged Russian intelligence agents in Lviv province. These individuals were reportedly gathering information on the aftermath of an Oreshnik missile attack that targeted civilian infrastructure on the night of 8/1.
The SBU identified the first suspect as a 64-year-old man from Mukachevo city in Zakarpattia province. The second suspect, a 22-year-old unemployed neighbor, is accused of acting on Russian intelligence directives. He allegedly visited the strike scene, photographed the damage, and recorded coordinates using the google maps application.
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One of the two suspects being apprehended in a photo posted on 22/1. *Photo: SBU*
"The suspect then transferred the collected intelligence to his accomplice at home, who reported directly to Russian intelligence," the SBU stated, confirming both suspects were arrested simultaneously.
The SBU revealed that Russian intelligence remotely recruited the 64-year-old suspect. The agency indicated that Russia sought details on the extent of damage to Ukrainian facilities following the attack. This information was intended for special media operations and to plan subsequent strikes in the region.
Russian officials have not commented on these allegations.
The Oreshnik missile strike on 8/1 was part of a large-scale coordinated attack by the Russian military. Russia claimed this was retaliation for Kyiv's alleged launch of unmanned aerial vehicles targeting the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, an accusation denied by both Ukraine and the US.
Ukrainian officials confirmed the Oreshnik missile struck Lviv province, an area near the European Union border, and released photos of missile fragments. Kyiv described the target as a "civilian target" but did not specify its exact location or the extent of the damage.
Conversely, the Russian Ministry of Defense later announced the strike had neutralized the Lviv State Aircraft Repair Plant. This facility reportedly specializes in maintaining and overhauling MiG-29 and F-16 fighter jets for the Ukrainian air force.
Moment an Oreshnik missile struck Lviv province in Ukraine on the night of 8/1. *Video: X/AMK Mapping*
The Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile was first deployed by Russia in an attack on Dnipro city, central Ukraine, in November 2024. Russian officials claim the Oreshnik achieves speeds exceeding 10 times the speed of sound, reaching over 12,000 km/h.
Beyond its speed, the missile incorporates multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) technology. This advanced feature allows each missile to carry up to 36 warheads.
Pham Giang (According to Ukrainska Pravda, Defense News)
