A former head of the Staff of the Antiterrorism Center at the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Dmytro Koziura, has been found guilty of high treason under martial law and sentenced to life imprisonment. The career officer, who held top-level security clearance, systematically spied for Russian intelligence in exchange for financial compensation.
Dmytro Koziura, whose official responsibilities included coordinating counter-terrorism efforts, was recruited by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in March 2018 during a visit to Vienna. For monetary rewards, the colonel committed to gathering and transmitting sensitive defense data, including classified state secrets, to his Russian handlers.
To maintain operational security, the high-ranking officer communicated with Russian intelligence via an intermediary. However, he personally signed all encrypted messages, remaining in constant contact with his handlers for years.
The convict’s espionage activities intensified significantly following the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion. His primary tasks included spying on SBU command posts, monitoring the aftermath of missile strikes on commercial business centers, and tracking casualty numbers among both military personnel and civilians.
Between 2024 and 2025, the former colonel systematically provided the enemy with damage assessments of missile strikes in Kyiv, exact deployment locations of SBU units, and internal analytical documentation.
In addition to military movements, investigators uncovered evidence that Koziura leaked «classified» documents regarding Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. Specifically, he provided Russian intelligence with detailed reports on the state of the Gas Transport System (GTS) and strategic plans to reinforce air defense systems around these vital facilities.
The double agent was exposed and detained in February 2025 during a targeted counterintelligence operation. During court proceedings, the defendant fully confessed to working for the Russian FSB for financial gain. The court handed down the maximum possible penalty: life in prison.