Ukraine’s domestic security agency has arrested a Ukrainian Air Force major accused of spying for Russia, allegedly leaking sensitive information about Western-supplied fighter jets and helping Russia coordinate strikes on critical air bases.
The officer, whose name has not been disclosed, is reportedly a flight instructor within one of Ukraine’s air brigades. According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), he acted as an agent for Russia’s military intelligence, providing detailed data on the locations and flight schedules of Ukraine’s newly received U.S.-made F-16s and French Mirage 2000s.
The SBU said the suspect also supplied personal information on Ukrainian pilots, as well as weaponry specifications and combat tactics of the fighter jets. He allegedly advised Russian forces on how to evade Ukrainian air defenses to carry out missile and drone attacks more effectively.
Authorities arrested the officer while he was attempting to gather additional intelligence. He has been charged with treason, a crime that carries a life sentence under Ukrainian law.
The arrest highlights the growing concerns around internal sabotage and espionage as Ukraine continues to bolster its air defense capabilities with Western support. The F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighters are considered vital assets as Russia intensifies aerial assaults across Ukraine.
This incident follows the recent arrest of two Chinese nationals earlier this month, who were suspected of spying on Ukraine’s Neptune missile program, a cornerstone of the country’s domestic defense system.
