In Odesa, the SSU and the National Police have neutralized an agent group of russia’s federal security service. It consisted of three local residents whose tasks were explosions and arsons in different regions of Ukraine.

In the near future, they were preparing to detonate an improvised explosive device to cause numerous casualties in southern Ukraine.

According to the investigation, the perpetrators managed to carry out one explosion in Kyiv, after which they were detained in hot pursuit.

In mid-November this year, a 17-year-old member of the enemy cell arrived in Kyiv and planted explosives near the building of one of the state authorities of Ukraine.

The IED was stuffed with nails and screws and was activated by a remote control module.

After the explosion, the SSU documented the suspect’s actions in order to identify his accomplices and dismantle the entire network.

The man was hiding in rented apartments in Kyiv and later came back to Odesa by train to plot new terrorist attacks.

The SSU and the National Police detained the bomber ‘red-handed’ when he purchased chemical components and destructive elements to manufacture another explosive device.

His accomplices, two Odesa residents aged 15 and 20, who had set fire to Ukrposhta offices in Odesa and Mykolaiv, have also been apprehended.

All three individuals involved were remotely communicating to one russian handler. The latter recruited the assets on Telegram channels, where they were looking for easy money.

The agents developed and agreed their terrorist plans with him as well as manufactured flammable materials and explosive devices according to the instructions provided by the ‘supervisor’.

SSU and National Police investigators have notified the detainees of suspicion (in accordance with the crimes committed) under two Articles of the CCU:

• 258.1 (terrorist act);
• 194.2 (intentional destruction or damage to property committed by arson, explosion or other generally dangerous means).

The two suspects are in custody and face up to 10 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property. The decision to bring to justice the minor participant of the group is pending.

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