Within ten hours, the Security Service and the National Police identified and detained a Ukrainian citizen involved in the triple terrorist attack carried out on the night of February 22 in Lviv. Investigative actions with the detainee are now underway, and other individuals who may be involved in the crime are being investigated. This was announced during a briefing by Ivan Rudnytskyi, Deputy Head of the Security Service of Ukraine.

‘The Security Service has been investigating this terrorist attack from the outset. Together with the National Police, we apprehended the perpetrator in hot pursuit. She is a 33-year-old resident of Rivne region and was recruited online by russian handlers. Although she planned to flee Ukraine following the explosions, the SSU and National Police intercepted her within 10 hours of the attack. I want to emphasise that we will track down every accomplice of russia. Punishment is inevitable,’ stated the Deputy Head.

‘When it comes to terrorist attacks, we have solved 78% of such crimes together with our colleagues during this time. Of these, 26% were committed by minors. russia is using our citizens, and most often those who have been recruited do not receive any money – instead, they face real life imprisonment. In some cases, the russians get rid of the perpetrators, eliminating them right when they try to plant the bomb. If you or your relatives and friends get offers like this, tell the law enforcement right away. One timely tip can save a lot of lives,’ said Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.

According to the investigation, the woman made three improvised explosive devices and planted them near a grocery store. At night, the 102 hotline received a call about an alleged ‘illegal intrusion into this store by two men’. When the law enforcement officers arrived at the location, the terrorists remotely activated the first IED.

After the blast, two more police patrols arrived at the scene, along with a foot patrol from the National Guard. At that moment, the second and third explosions occurred almost simultaneously. A police officer was killed. Another 25 people, including a minor, were injured to varying degrees.

The investigation established that the terrorist attack was prepared by a 33-year-old native of Rivne region, who was recruited by the enemy and fell for their bait while seeking ‘easy money’ on Telegram. After recruitment, she arrived in Lviv and settled in a rented apartment near the site of the plotted terrorist attack. She received detailed instructions from her russian handler on how to make an improvised explosive device.

The agent purchased the components for the bomb in the household goods sections of supermarkets. She used them to make the IEDs, equipping them with mobile phones for remote detonation.

On her handler’s instructions, the perpetrator installed a smartphone in the apartment, which broadcast live video of the ‘target’. With its help, the enemy surveilled the situation around the store and carried out remote detonations when police crews arrived at the scene.

After completing the task, the terrorist hastily left the scene of the crime and headed for the railway station in Sambir, Lviv region.

Her temporary home in Lviv was searched and evidence of her work for the ruscists was seized.

The SSU is currently conducting additional investigative actions. Proceedings under Articles 258.3 (terrorist act) and 263 (illegal handling of weapons and explosives) of the CCU are ongoing.

The SSU Office in Lviv region is working on the case jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.

The Security Service warns again: If you or your friends are being recruited by the aggressor state, or if you have information on any possible activities by the russian intelligence services, please report it to the SSU:

Chatbot Burn the FSB-man – t.me/spaly_fsb_bot

Tel.: 0 800 501 482

Email: callcenter@ssu.gov.ua