The SSU Counterintelligence jointly with the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police have conducted a multi-stage special operation. As a result, the agencies detained a saboteur of the GRU (the main directorate of the general staff of the russian armed forces) in Kharkiv. On the instructions of the russian military intelligence, the perpetrator was preparing to blow up two petrol stations in Kharkiv and in other Ukrainian oblasts.

He planned to use improvised explosive devices, which were kept in a specially equipped cache in a forest in Kharkiv region.

According to the GRU’s plan, the explosions of fuel tanks at petrol stations were to cause civilian casualties and sow panic in the border areas.

The law enforcement apprehended the suspect ‘red-handed’ when he was planting explosives under a gas barrel at a Kharkiv petrol station.

After the detention, an IED with 2.5 kg of plastic explosive, a clockwork and an electric detonator was deactivated.

The SSU also uncovered the facts of the man’s involvement in a series of other sabotage acts in Kharkiv region. These include blowing up a railway track near a station and explosions at two local petrol stations.

According to the investigation, the enemy saboteur is an ex-officer of the disbanded militsiya force, who was trying to be reinstated in his former position through court.

After the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, he was recruited remotely by the russian military intelligence service.

The asset’s main task was to carry out sabotage aimed at damaging critical infrastructure and undermining the internal situation in Ukraine’s north-eastern border areas.

To blow up targets, the saboteur personally assembled explosive devices in his mother’s flat and then took them to a cache.

During the searches, the law enforcement agencies found:

• almost 5 kg of plastic explosive;
• detonators;
• a clockwork for an IED;
• 2 F-1 and RGD-5 combat grenades
• a revolver;
• almost UAH 900,000 in cash.

SSU investigators will serve the detained enemy agent a notice of suspicion under the Articles of the CCU: 113 (sabotage) and 263 (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives). Court is to decide on custody without bail as a measure of restraint.

The investigation is ongoing. The offender is facing life imprisonment.

The operation was carried out jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.