The Security Service of Ukraine has prevented a series of contract killings in Odesa. Following an operation in the port city, an agent of russia’s federal security service has been detained: he set up a cache of ammunition and firearms. The supplies from it were intended to be used for high-profile assassinations.

The detained individual is an unemployed resident of Poltava, recruited by ruscists while seeking ‘easy money’ on Telegram.

After the recruitment, the asset was deployed to Odesa. Upon arriving in the city, he received the geolocation of the cache from the FSB, from which he retrieved an F-1 combat grenade, a Kalashnikov assault rifle, and 30 rounds of ammunition for it.

In a hotel room, the agent tested their functionality, reported to his russian handler, and was instructed to hide the weapons in a new hiding place.

After conducting reconnaissance of the area, he hid the weapons in trash containers in the central park and sent the coordinates to the FSB.

Next, the russian service planned to recruit a hitman who was to use the cache to attempt an assassination of the head of one of the district Territorial Recruitment Centres of Odesa.

In the event of the military official’s murder, the enemy intended to expand the ‘list’ of victims.

The SSU uncovered the aggressor’s plans at an early stage, documented the agent’s crime, and detained him at his home in Poltava, where he had returned after planting the cache.

A smartphone, which he had used to communicate with the russian handler, has been seized during the search. His handler’s identity has been established by the SSU.

SSU investigators have notified the detainee of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

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

The indictment has been sent to court. The suspect faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The FSB handler has also been notified of the charges in absentia. His actions have been classified as preparation of a terrorist attack, attempted murder, and illegal handling of weapons and ammunition.

Efforts to bring him to justice are ongoing.

Investigative and operational activities were carried out by the SSU Office in Odesa region under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.

The Security Service of Ukraine urges citizens to remain vigilant. If you are approached with dubious offers, have seen suspicious objects or individuals, or have information about the activities of russian intelligence services, or about websites and social media pages they use for recruitment, please report this to the SSU:

Chatbot Burn the FSB-man – t.me/spaly_fsb_bot

Tel.: 15-16 or 0 800 501 482

Email: callcenter@ssu.gov.ua