Russian special services are actively using false bomb threats targeting public facilities and critical infrastructure as an element of hybrid warfare to increase pressure on Ukraine.

In 2021, the SSU recorded total of 1,100 false anonymous calls and messages. By comparison, since the beginning of 2022 this number has reached over 300. After thorough checks, none of the alerts was confirmed.

The Security Service of Ukraine, in cooperation with the National Police and other agencies, is actively counteracting to such incidents: over the last year, law enforcement identified 313 individuals responsible for bomb threats.  

The purpose of Russian special services is obvious – to put additional pressure on Ukraine, sow anxiety and panic among the public. Unfortunately, such information and psychological special operations are part of modern hybrid warfare, and we have to be aware of this.

To spread bomb alerts, the organizers involve citizens of Ukraine who act with hooligan motives or for fun, not fully realizing all the consequences.

Offenders try to send messages using software that they believe provides anonymity. However, the investigation established that most messages were sent by Internet users in neighboring post-Soviet countries or in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Operational monitoring of channels of false information is carried out in the framework of international assistance projects, including jointly with foreign partners.

The SSU once again reminds that ‘anonymous terrorists’ will be identified and prosecuted under the following articles of the CCU:

• Article 259.1 (knowingly false message about a threat to public safety, destruction or damage to property), punishable by imprisonment from 2 to 6 years, repeated actions may lead to 4 to 8 year sentence;
• Article 258.1 (terrorist act) in case of threat of explosions and other actions that will endanger human life and health or create other serious consequences, punishable by imprisonment for 5 to 10 years with confiscation of property, for repeated offence the sentence may be from 7 to 12 years with confiscation of property.

We appeal to the media to pay special attention to verification of bomb threats so that such publications do not play into the hands of hostile intelligence services.

We are open to communication with mass media and ready to provide updated information.