Russia says it uncovered Ukrainian spies inside captured Crimea

In the wake of Kyiv announcing it arrested a Russian spy within the ranks of its security service, Moscow said it has discovered a Ukrainian “sabotage and terrorism” group inside Russian-occupied Crimea.

Russia’s Federal Security Service said Wednesday that the Ukrainian sabotage group included a Ukrainian national and a female Russian military officer. The Ukrainian has been arrested, and the Russian military officer is being held under house arrest because she has a child, according to the FSB.

The alleged plot involving the unnamed suspects allegedly was found in the course of another security investigation inside Crimea.

The spy case was announced one day after Ukrainian police arrested Maj. Gen. Valery Shaitanov, an official with the Security Service of Ukraine.

The SBU claimed that Shaitanov plotted “terrorist acts” in exchange for money and a Russian passport, and that he revealed information related to national security and defense.

The Shiatanov and Crimea detentions come one week after a Ukrainian military officer, Col. Ivan Bezyazykov, reportedly was sentenced to 13 years in prison for treason. 

Relations between Russia and Ukraine soured in 2014, when Russia captured Crimea. Animosity has grown as Moscow continues to claim Crimea as part of Russia. 

Russian and Ukrainian government officials did not respond to requests for comment.