Ukrainian Security Service detains two Russian assets for intelligence-gathering after Oreshnik strike in Lviv Oblast – photo, video
Two individuals handled by Russia's military intelligence have been detained by the counterintelligence wing of Ukraine's Security Service for assisting in assessing the aftermath of an Oreshnik missile strike on civilian infrastructure facilities in Lviv Oblast on the night of 8-9 January 2026.
Source: Security Service of Ukraine; Zakarpattia Oblast Prosecutor's Office
Details: Authorities have determined that follow-up intelligence gathering after the strike was conducted by a 64-year-old man from Mukachevo, recruited remotely by Russian secret services, and a 22-year-old unemployed male neighbour of his.
Security Service officers have determined that, following instructions from Russian intelligence, the younger man travelled from Zakarpattia Oblast to Lviv Oblast after the attack. He made multiple visits to locations in the missile strike area, photographing them and noting their coordinates on Google Maps.
He then passed the collected intelligence to the 64-year-old man, who remained in Mukachevo and reported directly to a handler from the Russian secret services.
The Security Service detained both individuals at the same time: one at his home in Mukachevo, and the other "in the act" in Lviv Oblast as he carried out reconnaissance near the site of the Russian strike.
During searches, law enforcement seized electronic devices containing evidence of collaboration with Russian intelligence. The Security Service also intercepted conversations between one of the individuals and their handler, and the audio recordings have been added to the criminal case files.
The Security Service investigators have served the suspects with notices of suspicion under Article 111.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (treason committed under martial law).
Both suspects are being held in a temporary detention facility. The issue of imposing a pre-trial restriction on the individuals is being decided, and the prosecution will seek remand in custody without the possibility of bail.
Background:
- On the night of 8-9 January, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 278 airborne assets – 36 missiles and 242 drones of various types. The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia had used one Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile, launched from the Kapustin Yar test range in Russia's Astrakhan Oblast.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the overnight air attack, which included the use of the Oreshnik missile, required a clear international response, particularly from the United States.
- Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the Russian Oreshnik strike on Lviv Oblast, near the borders of the EU and NATO, posed a threat to European security and demanded a tough response from partners.
- The Security Service also located and presented debris from the Russian Oreshnik missile found in Lviv Oblast.
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