In Kyiv, the SSU and the National Police have apprehended another 5 accomplices of russian intelligence services who carried out arsons in the capital. Their targets were SUVs and vans of the AFU servicemen.

On the instructions from the occupiers, the perpetrators burned 5 vehicles of Ukrainian defenders in three districts. Provocative leaflets, discrediting the Defence Forces, were left near the damaged cars.

In this way, the enemy tried to destabilize the situation, showing the ordered arsons paid for with russian money as ‘work of Ukrainian underground’.

According to the investigation, four arsonists acted in groups of two and one acted alone. They are residents of Sumy, Poltava and Mykolaiv regions aged 21 to 29 years old. They came to the capital looking for jobs.

Looking for easy money on Telegram, the men were contacted by russian intelligence services and were offered cooperation.

Following the enemy instructions, the assets first found potential targets and sent the photos of them to their handlers for approval.

Then, they approached the vehicles, set them on fire using flammable mixture and filmed the burning on their phones to report to the aggressor.

After that, the arsonists hoped to get a reward from the russians. However, they never got it.

The SSU and National Police detained all five individuals in hot pursuit in Kyiv. Mixture used for the arsons, self-made anti-Ukrainian leaflets and mobile phones with evidence were seized from them.

SSU investigators notified the detainees of suspicion under Articles 28.2, 114-1.1 of the CCU (obstructing the lawful activity of the AFU and other military formations, during a special period, committed upon prior conspiracy, by a group).

The suspects are in custody and face up to 8 years in prison.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Kyiv and Kyiv region jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office.