Minors acting as agents of the Russian Federation who set fire to military equipment were exposed in two regions
The Security Service of Ukraine, in cooperation with the National Police, has detained two more Russian agents who, acting on orders from Russian intelligence agencies, set fire to military vehicles and specialized transport at critical infrastructure facilities in the Odesa and Vinnytsia regions.
According to the investigation, the perpetrators were two 16-year-old local residents whom Russian intelligence services recruited via Telegram channels promising “easy” money.
In Odesa, law enforcement officers detained a minor who, on the instructions of a handler from Russia, set fire to a truck-mounted crane, two aerial work platforms, and a crane-manipulator belonging to one of the region’s key energy facilities.
The SBU notes:
“In this way, the enemy hoped to disrupt emergency restoration and repair work on the high-voltage power lines that supply the southern region of Ukraine.”
According to law enforcement officials, to carry out the mission, the teenager purchased a flammable mixture, then traveled by public transportation to the power substation and set it on fire.
In the city of Hnivan, Vinnytsia Oblast, the SBU’s counterintelligence unit detained another minor who, according to the investigation, set fire to a Ukrainian serviceman’s SUV on orders from the FSB.
Law enforcement officials determined that the boy first tracked the parking locations of Defense Forces vehicles, and after receiving instructions from a Russian handler, doused the vehicle with gasoline and set it on fire.
To do this, he used a two-liter bottle of gasoline and filmed the moment the vehicle caught fire on his smartphone to report back to FSB representatives.
Both suspects were detained within 24 hours of committing the arson attacks.
During searches, authorities seized the arson tools and mobile phones they used to communicate with their Russian handlers.
SBU investigators informed the detainees that they are suspected of violating Part 2 of Article 194 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (intentional destruction or damage to property by arson).
A pretrial investigation is currently underway. Law enforcement officials are also determining whether to apply additional legal charges against the suspects.
If found guilty, they face up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property.
This was reported by the SBU.
On July 27, the Security Service of Ukraine announced the exposure and detention of two FSB agents who, according to the investigation, were preparing a series of terrorist attacks in the Kharkiv region. One of their objectives was an attempt to carry out a mass killing of Ukrainian military personnel under the guise of a “charity” party.
As a reminder, on July 27, the Security Service of Ukraine reported on the results of the latest week of its 40-day operation aimed at reducing Russia’s military and economic potential.
On the night of July 25, long-range drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine attacked Russian military facilities in Rostov-on-Don and in the Caspian Sea.
