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Russian counterspies tricked Kiev into paying them $100,000 – FSB

Russian counterintelligence agents have managed to trick their Ukrainian adversaries into paying them $100,000 as part of a sting operation, officials claimed on Wednesday.

The Ukrainian military intelligence agency HUR had promised to pay $1 million to Russian troops stationed near the city of Gorlovka in exchange for a surprise retreat, the statement said.

After learning about the plot, Russian military intelligence and counterintelligence agents from the Federal Security Service (FSB) launched their own operation to turn the table on the Ukrainians, the FSB statement claimed.

The $100,000 was an advance payment for the treasonous act, and actually went to Moscow’s coffers.

In addition to securing unexpected funding for the Russian military, the joint operation has also cost Kiev’s forces, the statement added. Playing along with HUR allowed Moscow to identify the positions of Ukrainian troops and their plans for maneuvers.

“Russian military units have delivered preemptive artillery and rocket strikes at identified routes of advancement towards our positions. The enemy has suffered significant casualties and materiel loss,” the statement said.

The Ukrainians contacted troops protecting the Gagarin coal mine, which is located west of Gorlovka in Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic, in the Autumn of 2023, according to the FSB and interviews with troops, which the Russian agency released to the media.

Drone footage showing the Gagarin coal mine near Gorlovka. Source: The FSB

The location is significant for the defense of the city. It has high spoil tips – hills of waste material separated from coal, which accumulated over the decades. They can be used for observation and artillery attacks against the surrounding area. If Ukrainian troops had seized them, Gorolovka would have been exposed to direct strikes or an offensive.

The Russian soldier contacted by the Ukrainians pretended to take their offer, but informed counterintelligence officers. Eventually, this allowed them to lay a trap for Kiev’s special operations forces, who advanced towards the mine expecting no resistance.

Ukrainian special operations troops retreating after a failed takeover of the Gagarin coal mine. Source: The FSB

In addition to promising money and paying the advance payment in cash, Kiev offered extraction and resettlement in a European nation under new identities, the FSB alleged.

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