The Security Service of Ukraine, in cooperation with the National Police, has detained another five enemy accomplices who set fire to vehicles belonging to Ukraine’s Defence Forces and volunteer organisations.

In the Kyiv region, the SSU Counterintelligence exposed a postal service employee from Bila Tserkva who, acting on orders from russia, set fire to a truck belonging to a local entrepreneur who supports the military through volunteer work.

The investigation established that the russian intelligence operatives recruited the arsonist through a ‘honey trap’. They created a fake female profile on a dating website, and the woman behind the account persuaded him to carry out assignments for russia.

After the recruitment, the agent purchased a lighter fluid and two towels. He set fire to the vehicle, following video instructions provided by his russian handler.

The law enforcement detained the suspect within 24 hours of the crime.

In Lviv, the SSU Counterintelligence detained another arsonist. He is an unemployed man from the Chernivtsi region who, acting on russia’s orders, attempted to set fire to two vehicles belonging to military servicemen.

SSU investigators documented that the man was spotted by the russian operatives through Telegram channels, where he was looking for ‘easy money’ while staying in Lviv.

To carry out the crime, he first coordinated the targets with his handler, then purchased gasoline at a gas station and set fire to the vehicles. He recorded the fires on his phone to provide proof that the task had been completed.

The SSU detained the suspect shortly after the crime.

In Zaporizhzhia, the law enforcement detained a local unemployed man who had been recruited by ruscists and had set fire to a truck in Kyiv.

The arsonist purchased five litres of fuel at a gas station and set fire to a vehicle parked on the roadside.

A student has been apprehended in Ternopil. The aggressor state had recruited him using a false identity, posing as a law enforcement officer. He was instructed to destroy two cargo vans by setting them on fire.

The SSU Counterintelligence caught the suspect in the act during a video call with his russian handler, as he was heading to the planned arson site.

Using the same scheme, the adversary also recruited a resident of the Kremenets district in the Ternopil region. The handler ordered him to set fire to the main entrance of a commercial bank branch in Ternopil.

During the searches, the investigators seized mobile phones containing evidence of cooperation with the enemy, items used to commit the crimes, and clothing worn during the arson attacks.

The detainees have been formally notified that they are suspected of committing offences under several Articles of the CCU, depending on the crimes involved:

• 194.2 – intentional destruction of or damage to property by arson;
• 114-1.1 – obstruction of the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations during a special period.

They face up to 10 years in prison. In addition, investigators are considering whether to bring further charges of high treason committed under martial law.

The operations were carried out under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor’s Offices.