(LVIV REGION) – Ukrainian authorities have detained two individuals accused of acting as agents for Russian military intelligence following the “Oreshnik” missile strike on the Lviv region. The arrests were confirmed by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Investigators determined that the reconnaissance operation was carried out by a 64-year-old resident of Mukachevo, who was remotely recruited by Russian intelligence, and his 22-year-old unemployed neighbour from Zakarpattia.
According to the SBU, the younger suspect travelled to the Lviv region after the missile attack. He surveyed the strike locations, took photographs, recorded coordinates on Google Maps, and passed the information to the older agent, who remained in Mukachevo and relayed the data directly to his Russian handlers.
“One suspect was detained at his residence in Mukachevo, while the other was apprehended in Lviv region during reconnaissance near the site of the strike,” the SBU said.
During searches, authorities seized electronic devices containing evidence of contact with Russian intelligence. Intercepted conversations between one of the suspects and their Russian handlers have been added to the criminal case file.
According to available reports, Russian intelligence required information on the scale of destruction to support their information and psychological operations and to plan further attacks in the region.
Both detainees face charges under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which covers treason committed under martial law. If convicted, they could receive life imprisonment and confiscation of property.
The “Oreshnik” missile strike occurred on the night of January 8–9, 2026, leaving 376 households in Lviv region without gas. This was the second recorded use of the Oreshnik missile against Ukraine, following an attack in Dnipro in November 2024.
Authorities have also identified fragments of the missile used in the Lviv attack, confirming the type and trajectory of the strike.
