A top Ukrainian security official, Colonel Dmytro Koziura, has been accused of secretly working for Russia while serving as a senior anti-terrorist chief at Ukraine’s SBU Security Service. His shocking betrayal was exposed after a long investigation led by SBU chief Lt-Gen Vasyl Maliuk.
Koziura was arrested in person by Maliuk, who had been closely monitoring his activities and reporting every step of the investigation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Officials revealed that the Ukrainian government had known about Koziura’s betrayal for months and had even fed him false information to mislead his Russian handlers.
A Dramatic Arrest
A video of Koziura’s arrest was released, showing him with handcuffs and visible injuries on his face. He was accused of leaking sensitive military intelligence to Moscow, which could have put Ukraine at risk. Evidence, including video clips, allegedly showed him sending classified information electronically to Russian intelligence.
Koziura, believed to be in his 50s, was reportedly close to Kyiv’s mayor, former world boxing champion Vitali Klitschko. His betrayal is a major blow to Ukraine, especially since the country has been closely working with Western allies since Russia’s invasion three years ago.
Russia’s Loss and Ukraine’s Smart Strategy
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Ukraine had the upper hand. Since they were aware of Koziura’s double-dealing, they made sure to feed him misleading information. This means that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his intelligence team might have acted on false details, weakening their strategic advantage.
SBU chief Maliuk did not disclose exactly how much damage Koziura had caused, but investigators found at least 14 instances where he had sent classified information to Russia. His mission was to provide details about Ukrainian military movements, weapon supplies, infrastructure, and the impact of Russian missile attacks.
Family Ties and a Secret Recruitment
Adding another twist to the story, Ukrainian security services claim that Koziura’s parents also supported Russia’s invasion. They allegedly praised Putin and were aware of their son’s involvement with Russian intelligence. As a result, his parents may also face charges.
Investigators revealed that Koziura was recruited by Russia’s FSB intelligence agency in 2018 while in Vienna. However, he was only ordered to actively spy in December 2024. His Russian handler, identified as Yuriy Shatalov, provided him with a special mobile phone, WiFi router, and SIM card to carry out secret communications.
What’s Next for Koziura?
If convicted, Koziura faces life imprisonment. Meanwhile, Ukrainian security forces are continuing their hunt for other possible Russian spies within the government. Maliuk stated, “The cleansing of our service continues,” signaling that Ukraine is determined to eliminate any further threats from within its ranks.
This case highlights the intense spy war between Ukraine and Russia and the ongoing efforts to safeguard national security during the conflict.
