The Security Service and the National Police have thwarted new attempts by russia’s federal security service to carry out a series of terrorist attacks in northern Ukraine.

As a result of preemptive actions, two women – enemy agents – who were making improvised explosive devices for explosions in crowded places in Kyiv and Zhytomyr have been detained.

The IEDs were manufactured by a 24-year-old contract soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and her 25-year-old friend, who were members of the FSB’s intelligence network. In December 2025, the law enforcement detained three members of this cell after they carried out a terrorist attack in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district.

The aggressor state recruited these individuals on a Telegram channel offering ‘easy money’.

After the recruitment, the women received money from the FSB to rent an apartment in Zhytomyr. In their temporary home, they set up a ‘lab’ to make bombs according to the instructions of the russian service.

They purchased components for the IEDs in local stores and markets.

After assembling the IEDs, the agents waited for the FSB to geolocate the sites of the planned terrorist attacks, where they were to plant the bombs.

The SSU uncovered the traitors at an early stage, documented their crimes, and detained them during the manufacture of the first explosive device.

Bomb components, as well as smartphones with evidence of working for the enemy, were seized from the suspects during the search.

Security Service investigators have notified the detainees of suspicion under Articles 14.1 and 258.2 of the CCU (preparation for a terrorist act, by a group, upon prior conspiracy).

The suspects are in custody and face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

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.