The SBU detained a Russian agent in the Poltava region who was planning to assassinate the commander of a military unit
The SBU’s counterintelligence unit detained a Russian agent in the Poltava region who, acting on orders from Russian intelligence services, was planning the assassination of the commander of one of the region’s military units. Law enforcement officials stated that the attack was prevented thanks to preemptive action.
As the investigation revealed, the enemy’s mission was carried out by a student at a local university who had been recruited by Russian agents. He came to the attention of Russian intelligence officers while searching for “easy” money on Telegram.
Following instructions from his handler in Russia, the agent constructed a homemade explosive device (HED) and, to enable remote detonation, equipped it with a cell phone that provided remote access to Russian intelligence officers.
Afterward, the suspect was supposed to study the military unit commander’s daily schedule and travel routes in order to plant the explosive device and remotely detonate it as the official approached the “location.”
It was also established that while preparing for the assassination attempt, the agent agreed to carry out another task for the enemy—setting a truck on fire.
To do this, the student purchased a flammable mixture at a store and “coordinated” the destruction of the vehicle with his handler in advance.
SBU officers apprehended the agent “red-handed” while he was attempting to set the truck on fire.
Following a search, an explosive device prepared for the terrorist attack, drugs, and a smartphone containing evidence of his work for the enemy were seized from the detainee.
Security Service investigators informed the suspect that he is suspected of violating several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
Part 1 of Article 14, Part 1 of Article 258 (preparation to commit a terrorist act);
Part 1 of Article 263-1 (illegal manufacture of explosive substances or explosive devices);
Part 1 of Article 263 (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition, and explosives);
Section 15(3), Section 194(2) (attempted intentional destruction or damage to property by arson);
Part 3 of Article 307 (illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation, shipment, or sale of narcotic drugs).
The suspect is currently in custody. He faces up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Comprehensive investigative measures were carried out by SBU officers in the Poltava region under the procedural guidance of the regional prosecutor’s office.
Earlier, a female officer of the General Staff was detained for accepting a bribe of 14,000 dollars.
In the Chernihiv region, a detained deserter attempted to offer a bribe of 40,000 hryvnias.
The SBU and the National Police uncovered 12 schemes to evade mobilization in eight regions.
