The SSU and the National Police have neutralized a criminal group that on russian orders burned vehicles of Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

The gang’s leader, who worked for the russian intelligence, has been detained.

He is from Khmelnytskyi region and contacted the occupiers on his initiative to collaborate with them for money.

To do this, he posted his ‘resume’ on the darknet and offered ‘services’ of burning vehicles belonging to Territorial Recruitment Centers.

A russian handler responded to this ‘post’ and gave an assignment to destroy military vehicles in Khmelnytskyi.

To commit the crimes, the gang chief involved several local residents.

They used Molotov cocktails to set fire to two vehicles of a military enlistment office.

The perpetrators filmed the arsons on their phones to send a ‘report’ to the russians.

The SSU Military Counterintelligence, together with the National Police, documented the sabotage activity and detained the organizer in hot pursuit.

During the searches, the SSU seized mobile phones and SIM cards that he used to communicate with the enemy.

The detainee has been declared suspect under two Articles of the CCU:

• 14.1, 114-1.1 (preparation for a criminal offense, obstruction of the AFU’s lawful activities);
• 194.2 (intentional destruction or damage to property committed by arson, explosion or other generally dangerous means).

The suspect is in custody. His actions may be additionally qualified. Efforts are underway to detain his accomplices.

The suspects face up to 10 years in prison.

The operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of Khmelnytskyi Specialized Defense Prosecutor’s Office of the Western Region.