Couple Spying for Russia at Wedding Photo Shoot Arrested in Odessa

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has detained a couple in the port city of Odessa who were taking pictures of sensitive objects for Russian intelligence services while pretending to be taking part in a wedding photo shoot.

The unnamed suspects, a 23-year-old man from the city and his 18-year-old “fiancée,” were spying on “the locations of the border units of the maritime guard that defend the water area of ​​the port city,” information that could later help Russia adjust missile and drone strikes.

“To obtain information, those involved travelled around the region under the cover of [being] “Brides and grooms walk around and take pictures against the backdrop of 'sensitive objects',” the SBU press release reads, although it is unclear whether the same couple had adopted the same tactic repeatedly or whether others were involved.

The two men were arrested while “spying near a potential target,” the statement said.

In addition, the SBU said the couple had also been tasked by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) with posting “provocative leaflets against the mobilisation” and setting fire to a local power plant.

According to the SBU, the man was recruited by the FSB in May “via anonymous conversations on the Telegram channel, where the issue of evasion from mobilization is discussed,” and he later involved his girlfriend in his “subversive activities.”

The SBU said it had already identified the head of the FSB of Russia's Eastern Military District and had discovered more evidence of their crimes during house searches.

“During searches of the detainees' homes, mobile phones with traces of crimes were seized. A bank card on which FSB funds were paid and a batch of anti-Ukrainian leaflets were also discovered,” the SBU statement said.

The couple are in custody and each face a sentence of eight years to life in prison if convicted.