SBU detains Chinese spies in Kyiv – they tried to smuggle secrets of Neptune missile
9 July 14:50
The Security Service of Ukraine’s counterintelligence service exposed and detained two Chinese citizens in Kyiv who were trying to obtain and transfer to China classified documentation on the development of the Ukrainian missile system RK-360MC Neptune. This was reported by the SBU press service, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
According to the SBU, one of the detainees is a 24-year-old former student of one of Kyiv’s technical universities. In 2023, he was expelled for failing grades, but remained in Ukraine. His father, who lives in China, periodically visited Ukraine and coordinated his son’s espionage activities.
According to the investigation, the ex-student tried to recruit a Ukrainian specialist involved in weapons development to obtain technical documentation on missile production.
Counterintelligence detained the spy during the transfer of classified materials, and then his father. During the searches, cell phones with evidence of intelligence coordination were seized from them.
Both detainees were served a notice of suspicion under Part 1 of Article 114 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – espionage. They face up to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property.
What is known about the Neptune?
The RK-360MC Neptune is a Ukrainian subsonic anti-ship cruise missile developed by the Luch State Design Bureau. It is 5.05 meters long, weighs 870 kg, and has a range of up to 280 km. The updated version of 2023 allows destroying not only sea but also land targets.
In April 2022, Neptune missiles were used to destroy the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the cruiser Moskva. In March 2024, a missile hit the landing ship Konstantin Olshansky in Crimea.
