The SSU and the National Police have detained an arsonist who carried out orders of russian special services in Zakarpattia region. According to the enemy plan, a series of arson attacks was supposed to undermine the socio-political situation in the region.

The perpetrator is a 21-year-old internally displaced person from Vinnytsia region who was looking for quick money. russian intelligence services contacted him on Telegram and offered money in exchange for cooperation.

On their instructions, he set fire to an SUV of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a car of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society within one day.

Expecting to receive the ‘reward’, the arsonist recorded the fire on his phone and sent the video to his russian handler.

However, the russian ‘supervisor’ refused to pay and promised to pay after several more arsons.

The law enforcement detained the perpetrator ‘red-handed’ as soon as he set fire to the third car. At the scene, they seized the arson tools and a mobile phone with evidence of communication with the ruscists.

Instead of the money from russia, the detainee received a notice of suspicion from SSU investigators under two Articles of the CCU:

• 194.2 (intentional destruction or damage to property);
• 114-1.1 (obstruction of lawful activities of the AFU and other military formations, during a special period).

The suspect is in custody and faces up to 10 years in prison.

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