The Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police have thwarted a high-profile terrorist attack in Kyiv. As a result of pre-emptive operations, two agents of russia’s federal security service were detained while preparing to blow up an administrative building in central Kyiv.

The investigation revealed that the suspects had planted an improvised incendiary device in the generator unit near the administrative building, designed to cause a fire and explosion.

They planned to activate the device remotely while travelling towards the belarusian border, intending to flee to russia via belarus.

After planting the device, the agents boarded a passenger train bound for the Chernihiv region. They then planned to cross the border illegally via the river using an inflatable boat.

However, the law enforcement team identified the perpetrators in good time, documented their crimes, and apprehended them on the train.

According to the investigation, the terrorist attack was planned by Kyiv residents who were recruited by the FSB. One of the assets was a conscript who had deserted his military unit, while the other was a marketing specialist from Kyiv.

Both perpetrators came to the attention of the russian intelligence services via Telegram channels, where they posted comments in support of the kremlin regime.

If they carried out the task, their handler promised that they would be extracted to russia and offered subsequent employment within the FSB.

The agents received instructions on how to make an improvised incendiary device and planted the device under a generator in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv.

According to the plan, detonating the technical equipment was intended to cause significant fire damage to a neighbouring administrative building.

The agents also installed a concealed telephone camera with remote access for the FSB across from the site of the planned terrorist attack. In an attempt to destroy the physical evidence, the suspects rigged the camera with a second explosive device, planning to detonate it after the generator exploded.

During searches of the suspects’ premises, smartphones containing evidence of their collaboration with the enemy, as well as an inflatable boat intended for crossing the state border, were seized.

Prior to carrying out this terrorist attack, the suspects had completed a series of test tasks for the enemy. They set up a cache of weapons and ammunition in a wooded area on the outskirts of Kyiv and sent the geolocation coordinates to the FSB for use in further sabotage. Furthermore, the deserter-agent leaked information to the enemy regarding military facilities, including details of one of the training grounds, the weapons stationed there and the number of military personnel.

The Security Service took action to protect the Defence Forces locations, which the agents collected intelligence on.

SSU investigators have notified the detainees of their status as suspects under Articles 15.2, 258.1 of the CCU (attempted terrorist act).

The issue of whether their actions should also be classified as high treason committed under martial law is currently under consideration.

The suspects are in custody and face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Kyiv and the Kyiv Region jointly with the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police Main Directorate in Kyiv, with the assistance of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and under procedural supervision of the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office.