Ukraine Charges GRU Officer for Espionage Involving Teen Recruit

Ukraine's SBU has charged Russian GRU officer Marat Tsevelev with espionage for coordinating missile and drone attacks on the Burshtyn thermal power plant. Tsevelev allegedly recruited a 17-year-old Ukrainian girl to scout and gather intelligence on the facility. The girl was detained in early 2026 while photographing a military site, and her smartphone contained evidence of her cooperation with Russian intelligence. The SBU has formally named Tsevelev as a suspect in absentia under Ukraine's Criminal Code. The incident is part of a broader pattern of Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, with a significant strike occurring on October 30, 2025. The girl's indictment for high treason has been sent to court. This case highlights ongoing espionage efforts by Russia in Ukraine amidst the conflict.

Key Points: • GRU officer Marat Tsevelev charged with espionage for recruiting a Ukrainian teen. • The recruited girl was tasked with scouting and photographing critical infrastructure. • The case is part of ongoing Russian efforts to target Ukraine's energy facilities.