The SSU Counterintelligence, together with the National Police of Ukraine and the National Investigation Inspectorate of the General Inspectorate of Police of the Republic of Moldova, thwarted a new attempt by ruscists to carry out a series of contract killings in our country.

Thanks to a large-scale special operation codenamed Enigma 2.0, the law enforcement agencies neutralised an assassination squad preparing to eliminate prominent figures in Ukraine. The operation was conducted on the territory of both countries.

The enemy’s targets were Ukrainian journalists and public figures, the head of a strategic enterprise, and military personnel of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, including servicemen of the DIU’s Foreign Legion.

The members of the hit squad worked out a number of assassination options: from point-blank shootings to car bombings. The payment for the killings promised by the russian intelligence services reached USD 100,000, depending on the target.

As a result of joint actions, the head or resident of the enemy cell, a 34-year-old repeat offender from Moldova, two of his agents, and their accomplices from Ukraine, the EU, and unrecognised Transnistria have been detained.

The investigation established that the head of the group was recruited by the russian intelligence while serving a sentence in a russian prison. After release, he was sent to Moldova to form a covert operational group under russia’s control.

He selected ‘like-minded’ individuals with pro-kremlin views, especially those with combat experience.

The agents were then divided into groups. The first tracked the locations and daily routines of potential victims, while the second consisted of killers who were to carry out the assassinations.

The russian agents were then deployed to Ukraine under the guise of tourists and dispersed to rented apartments in several oblasts.

As established, the assets were in constant contact with the resident and received funds for preparing the attacks via crypto wallets and bank cards issued by foreign banks.

To carry out surveillance, the agents posed as delivery service couriers, photographing and filming the targets, marking their geolocations on Google Maps, and reporting to the resident.

According to available data, the russian intelligence services hoped to use high-profile murders to spread panic and destabilise the socio-political situation in Ukraine.

Firearms, ammunition, combat grenades, and communication devices were seized from the suspects during the searches.

The detainees have been notified of suspicion under the Articles of the CCU:

• 14.1, p.11 of 115.2 (preparation for intentional murder on commission);
• 263.1 (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition, or explosives).

The decision on additional charges against the head and members of the hit squad is pending.

The suspects face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The international special operation was conducted jointly with the SSU Odesa Office and the National Investigation Inspectorate of the General Inspectorate of Police of Moldova under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine.