The SSU Counterintelligence and the National Police have thwarted a new attempt by ruscists to destabilise the internal situation in the capital.

As a result of preemptive action in central Kyiv, an FSB agent was detained: on russia’s orders he tried to set fire to the building of the Institute of National Remembrance.

For the arson, the perpetrator purchased a 5-litre bottle of petrol, with which he planned to secretly enter the territory of the state institution at night.

According to the instructions of russia’s security service, he was to pour the petrol on the window of the building, set it on fire, and record the fire on his phone camera.

The occupiers planned to use the video to conduct psyops showing the alleged ‘presence of a pro-kremlin underground’ in Kyiv.

The SSU uncovered the plot at an early stage and thwarted it. The agent was detained in a hostel near the Institute, where he had settled to conduct reconnaissance and choose the time for the arson.

The investigation established that the FSB agent was a 20-year-old Vinnytsia resident who came to their attention while looking for easy money on Telegram.

After recruitment, he first carried out a test task: using an incendiary mixture, he destroyed a Defence Forces Multivan in his hometown.

Then, the FSB sent the asset to Kyiv, where he was detained by the Security Service.

A smartphone with evidence of his work for the aggressor was seized from the suspect during the search.

The detainee has been notified of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

• 111.2 (high treason, committed under martial law);
• 194.2 (intentional destruction or damage to property).

The suspect is in custody without bail and faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

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