Ukraine arrests security staff on suspicion of being members of Russian spy network as Avdiivka battle intensifies

Head of security services of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk: ‘Today, we are not just building a renewed SBU but protecting democratic values, including freedom of speech and media independence. This is what makes our country different from authoritarian Russia.’ Photograph: Andrii Nesterenko/AFP Ukraine said it had detained five current and former security service staff on suspicion of spying for Moscow, as officials in the frontline town of Avdiivka said the situation in some districts was becoming "critical" amid relentless attacks by Russian troops. Ukraine's SBU security service said an employee of one of its regional departments was among those held, along…