The SSU Counterintelligence has prevented a bloody terrorist attack, which russian intelligence services planned to carry out in Kyiv region. As a result of a special operation, the SSU detained four members of the russian agent network who were preparing to detonate explosives at the entrance to the building where one of the Defence Forces units is stationed.

According to the investigation, the improvised explosive device was in a tactical backpack, which was to be delivered to the target facility by an underage agent dressed in a Ukrainian military uniform. The enemy was tracking his movements online and planned to detonate the explosives as soon as the young man entered the building.

At the same time, the individual who was to be blown up did not know that he was about to be killed. He thought that the IED would be detonated after he left the building.

The SSU Counterintelligence uncovered the enemy plans at an early stage and took action to prevent the attack. As a result, the minor and 3 other agents involved in the planning were apprehended.

As was established, the russian intelligence intended to undermine the socio-political situation in Ukraine and create the appearance of a conflict within the Defence Forces, when one ‘serviceman’ blows up others in protest.

According to the investigation, all four perpetrators acted separately from each other, but had a common handler from russia.

One of the assets is a 16-year-old student from Kirovohrad region. He received the coordinates of a cache from the occupiers; from there he took the explosive device and a military uniform.

Another member of the network is a 19-year-old young man who, according to preliminary conclusions, transported the explosives and military uniforms from an initial cache to the cache where the 16-year-old agent picked them up.

The first cache was set up by two women, residents of Vinnytsia region. They manufactured the explosive device following the video instructions from the russian handler and then hid it.

During the searches, mobile phones with evidence of cooperation with the aggressor were seized from the detainees. The investigators also seized 1.5 kg of explosive mixture for manufacturing of an improvised munition from one of the agents.

The SSU notified the perpetrators of suspicion of crimes under two Articles of the CCU (according to the actions each of them committed):

• 111.2 (high treason, committed under martial law);
• 263.2 (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives).

The detainees are in custody without bail and face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of Vinnytsia Region Prosecutor’s Office.