The SSU and the National Police have detained five accomplices of enemy intelligence services who committed arsons in Kirovohrad and Vinnytsia regions.

On russia’s orders, the perpetrators tried to damage the facilities of Ukrzaliznytsia and Ukrposhta (railway and mail companies). To carry out the arsons, they used flammable mixtures, which were made according to the occupiers’ instructions.

After the attacks, the arsonists hoped to receive money from their russian handlers. However, instead of the promised payments, they received suspicion notices from Ukrainian law enforcement.

In Kirovohrad region:

a former assistant driver of the local Ukrzaliznytsia branch and his partner from Znamianka were detained for setting fire to a locomotive, power substations and relay cabinets.

Later, the pair planned to derail a train and destroy a private post office in the city.

The law enforcement detained both individuals as they were preparing to derail a train.

In Vinnytsia region:

three local college students aged 15 and 16 were apprehended for setting fire to a regional Ukrposhta office and a relay cabinet on an important railroad line.

After completing both tasks, the russian intelligence planned to involve the young men in explosions near government institutions in several regions of Ukraine. 

SSU investigators notified the detainees of suspicion under Article 113.2 of the CCU (sabotage, committed by a group, under martial law).

This crime is punishable by life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The operations were carried out by the SSU Offices in Vinnytsia and Kirovohrad regions jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Offices.