In a shocking turn of events, a senior official within Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has been arrested for allegedly working as an agent for Russian intelligence. The figure, whose name has not been officially disclosed by the SBU, has been identified by Ukrainian media as Colonel Dmytro Kozyura, the Chief of Staff at the anti-terrorism center. The arrest, made public earlier today, reveals a betrayal at the highest levels of Ukraine’s security apparatus, underscoring the constant threat posed by foreign spies within the nation’s ranks.
The arrest, captured on video, showed Kozyura handcuffed and detained by SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk, a dramatic moment symbolizing the lengths to which Ukraine’s security forces will go to root out foreign influence within their own ranks. According to an official statement released by the SBU, the suspect has been implicated in no fewer than 14 separate instances of passing sensitive military and intelligence information to Russian handlers.
Malyuk, speaking in a statement posted to the SBU’s website, described the operation that led to Kozyura’s capture as the culmination of months of careful surveillance, involving sophisticated audio and video monitoring, as well as the detailed tracking of the suspect’s communications via mobile devices and computers.
“We practically lived with him,” Malyuk said in the video. “Thanks to encrypted bookmarks, we gained access to his mobile gadgets and documents, which allowed us to track the collection and transmission of vital information to the enemy.”
The suspect’s ties to the Russian Federation date back to 2018 when he was allegedly recruited in Vienna by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB), Russia’s primary intelligence agency. For years, he operated in a dormant state, maintaining a low profile, but his handlers reportedly reignited contact with him in December of 2024, coinciding with the increasing intensity of the war with Russia.
A Traitor Within the Ranks
The discovery of Kozyura’s alleged betrayal is a bitter blow for the SBU, an agency that has faced relentless pressure to root out Russian agents within Ukraine’s borders since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukraine’s security forces have been engaged in a constant battle against espionage and foreign interference, exposing multiple spy networks in recent years. However, this latest case strikes at the heart of the SBU itself, a reminder that no one, no matter their rank, is immune from suspicion.
“Rats are among us,” Malyuk declared, referring to the traitors who have infiltrated Ukraine’s national security structures. The SBU chief reassured the public that such betrayals would not go unnoticed, vowing that his agency would continue its work of “self-cleansing.”
“The enemy may try to penetrate our ranks, but we will find them, document their actions, and detain them before they can cause any real harm,” Malyuk added.
Kozyura’s suspected role in espionage is not an isolated incident. Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion, Ukraine has uncovered multiple espionage operations, resulting in the arrest of several high-ranking officials and military officers accused of working for Russian intelligence. In light of the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has strengthened its internal counterintelligence efforts, deploying advanced technologies to detect and dismantle foreign spy networks.
An Unfolding Investigation
The SBU’s investigation into Kozyura’s activities has been ongoing for several months, with authorities carefully monitoring his movements and communications. Using a combination of technological tools, including sophisticated spyware, Ukrainian officials were able to uncover damning evidence of the colonel’s treachery. The case also highlights the growing sophistication of the tools and methods used by both sides in the ongoing intelligence war.
As part of the operation, the SBU also conducted disinformation campaigns aimed at feeding false intelligence to the Russian operatives. The hope, Malyuk explained, was to mislead Russian handlers and further expose the scope of their intelligence operations within Ukraine. This approach, while risky, demonstrated Ukraine’s commitment to turning the tables on its adversaries by feeding them false leads and creating confusion in their ranks.
“The self-cleansing of the SBU continues,” Malyuk asserted in his statement. “We will not allow any foreign spies to destabilize our security services. We are stronger than their efforts to destroy us from within.”
Tensions Rise Within Ukraine’s Intelligence Community
The arrest of Kozyura has undoubtedly sent shockwaves through Ukraine’s intelligence community, which has faced significant internal pressure to deal with the constant threat of Russian infiltration. Many Ukrainian officials and citizens have expressed their dismay at the news, feeling a sense of betrayal and fear that more agents could be embedded within their ranks.
“Who can we trust now?” said a senior Ukrainian intelligence officer who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We are constantly looking over our shoulders. There are spies everywhere, even in the places we thought were safe.”
The arrest comes at a particularly sensitive time for Ukraine, as the country continues to fend off Russia’s brutal invasion. Ukraine’s war efforts have depended heavily on both domestic and international intelligence, making the integrity of the SBU even more critical. The arrest of a high-ranking official such as Kozyura could undermine the trust of both foreign allies and the Ukrainian public in the country’s security apparatus.
But the SBU’s prompt and decisive action may also serve as a symbol of Ukraine’s resilience. Despite the challenges posed by foreign spies and internal betrayal, the SBU has shown that it is ready to expose and eliminate any threat, no matter how deeply embedded it might be.
