The Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police have detained another five enemy accomplices who carried out arson attacks in the Cherkasy region.

As the investigation established, the aggressor’s tasks were carried out by local residents aged 18 to 21. They were recruited by the russian intelligence while seeking intimate relationships on Telegram dating channels.

There, the enemy used fake female accounts to engage in prolonged communication with them and suggest a meeting.

On the day of the ‘date’, the young men received calls from ruscists who, posing as Ukrainian law enforcement officers, informed them that their ‘online partners’ were supposedly working for the enemy intelligence services.

The occupiers blackmailed the young men and convinced them to take part in a ‘special operation’ to expose other enemy agents.

To do this, they were supposed to set fire at night to several bank branches and civilian cars in which the ‘traitors’ were supposedly located.

The suspects attempted to set fire to a civilian vehicle and four bank branches in Cherkasy and were apprehended.

Smartphones containing evidence of their work for russia were seized during the search. It has been established that the perpetrators acted independently of one another but had a single handler in russia.

The three individuals involved have been notified of suspicion under Article 194.2 of the CCU (intentional destruction or damage to property, by arson).

The decisions to bring their two accomplices to justice and qualify their crimes are pending.

The operational and investigative activities were carried out by the SSU Cherkasy Office in cooperation with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Cherkasy District Prosecutor’s Office.