The Security Service and the National Police have detained another two agents of russian military intelligence (‘the GRU’) who carried out arsons in Bukovyna on orders from the russian service.

The perpetrators are 27-year-old citizens of a neighbouring European country.

The investigation established that they used a flammable mixture to destroy an administrative building in one of the districts of Chernivtsi region.

The aim was to further destabilise the socio-political situation in western Ukraine, so the foreigners were tasked with continuing the series of arson attacks.

The SSU apprehended russia’s agents when they were conducting reconnaissance near a village council in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast.

The two individuals came to the GRU’s attention while they were still outside Ukraine.

One of them was recruited  on a Telegram channel, where he wrote comments in support of russia’s armed aggression.

The agent then recruited his acquaintance to cooperate with the GRU. After recruitment, they were sent to Ukraine together.

The enemy accomplices settled in a hotel on the outskirts of Chernivtsi. The next day, they committed arson, filming it on camera and reporting to their russian handler.

Investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine have notified the detainees of suspicion under Article 258.2 of the CCU (terrorist act, committed by arson to violate public safety, intimidate the population, and cause significant property damage, upon prior conspiracy, by a group).

The suspects are in custody without bail and face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Chernivtsi Office jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.