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SBU arrests a Ukrainian engineer who allegedly helped develop Russian drones

SBU arrests a Ukrainian engineer who allegedly helped develop Russian drones

Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced on its own Telegram channel on Wednesday, October 30, announced the arrest of a 72-year-old man Kharkov engineer who is suspected of helping Russia improve kamikaze drone technology.

According to SBU investigators, a mechanical engineer and one of his assistants who worked on the development of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) provided technical information aimed at improving the Shahed-class drones that Russia has assembled and used extensively against Ukraine since the scale-up invasion.

These are said to have included projects focused on upgrading engines and catapult launcher systems, which are key components of drone deployment.

An SBU investigation revealed how the engineer passed on his designs to the general director of a Russian mechanical engineering factory that produced components for the Shahed drones, called “Geran-2” by Russia.

He allegedly disguised his cooperation with Russia as legitimate academic research on UAVs and transmitted information via email and popular messaging platforms.

A former student who fled to Russia at the onset of a full-scale war helped spread the word, where he is currently working on UAV for Russian military purposes at the Moscow Polytechnic University.

During a search of the engineer’s house in Kharkov, SBU agents confiscated computer equipment, a mobile phone and pen drives that they believed contained evidence of his illegal activities. The SBU mail reported that the anonymous man was formally accused of helping the aggressor state in accordance with Art. 111-2 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code. If the allegations are confirmed, he faces up to 12 years in prison and confiscation of property.

Ukrainian drones are attacking many regions of Russia, temporarily disrupting flights at Sheremetyevo airport

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Ukrainian drones are attacking many regions of Russia, temporarily disrupting flights at Sheremetyevo airport

Due to drone activity, Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport briefly suspended flights early this morning, between 04:37 and 05:20, for security reasons.

The SBU also decided to bring charges in absentia against the engineer’s partner, a former student of Kharkov University.