Introduction

On 26 June 2026 a senior Ukrainian intelligence officer, Colonel Dmytro Kozyura, was handed a life sentence for high‑treason after prosecutors proved he had supplied classified state secrets to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). The court’s decision underscores Ukraine’s determination to protect its national security amid an ongoing conflict.

Background and Allegations

Kozyura, formerly chief of staff of the Security Service of Ukraine’s (SBU) anti‑terrorism centre, was accused of joining the FSB in Vienna in 2018 and re‑establishing contact in December 2024. Using a safe‑house in Kyiv, he communicated with his Russian handler through a separate mobile phone and a concealed Wi‑Fi router. investigators say he transmitted documents marked “secret” that detailed the deployment and movements of Russian forces, the status of Ukrainian weapons, infrastructure, and the leadership hierarchy.

Evidence of Espionage

The SBU documented that Kozyura systematically reported the consequences of Russian strikes, including casualty figures for wounded soldiers and civilians. He maintained constant communication with his handler, identified as Yuriy Shatalov, and regularly sent classified reports that could have aided Russia’s military planning. Prosecutors highlighted that his actions violated the highest level of state secrecy under martial law.

Legal Outcome

After a trial in the Shevchenkivskyy District Court in Kyiv, the Shevchenko‑Malyuk‑appointed court sentenced Kozyura to life imprisonment, the maximum penalty under Ukraine’s wartime legislation. The prosecutor general’s office emphasized that the severe sentence was necessary to deter other potential traitors and to reaffirm that any Ukrainian wearing the uniform who collaborates with a hostile foreign intelligence service is an enemy of the state.

Implications for Ukraine’s Security

The case demonstrates Kyiv’s aggressive counter‑intelligence efforts, which have exposed numerous Russian agents on Ukrainian soil since the invasion began in February 2022. While the SBU used Kozyura’s access to feed disinformation to Russian forces, the agency also prevented him from acquiring genuine intelligence, mitigating possible damage.

Conclusion

Colonel Kozyura’s life‑long sentence sends a clear message that espionage against Ukraine will be met with the harshest legal repercussions. The ruling reinforces the rule of law and underscores the importance of safeguarding state secrets in a time of war.