The Security Service of Ukraine has documented the crimes of Artem Shmul, a russian citizen and employee of the russian military intelligence (‘the GRU’), who recruited minors to carry out terrorist attacks in Odesa.

In May 2024, the SSU exposed four of his agents whilst they were attempting to set fire to two military vehicles in the city.

The investigation revealed that his orders were carried out by a group of Odesa residents aged between 13 and 18, whom he had recruited.

They came to his attention while seeking ‘easy money’ on Telegram.

Lured by the promise of quick payments, the assets agreed to set fire to vehicles belonging to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and facilities belonging to Ukrainian railway in the port city.

Following instructions from their russian handler, the youths burned a National Guard lorry and a relay cabinet on the railway tracks.

They also filmed the fires on their mobile phones to provide a ‘report’ to Shmul, with whom they were in contact via messaging apps.

Before carrying out these tasks, the russian operative gave the agents ‘test’ assignments, e.g. he forced them to distribute provocative leaflets in Odesa city centre.

Anti-Ukrainian propaganda materials and smartphones containing evidence of their work for russia were seized during the searches of the detainees.

SSU investigators classified their crimes under the Articles of the CCU:

• 28.2, 15.2, 113.2 (sabotage committed by a group of persons, acting in concert, under martial law).
• 15.2, 258.2 (attempted terrorist act).

The Security Service has notified Artem Shmul of the charges against him in absentia under two Articles of the CCU:

• 258-5.2 (financing terrorism);
• 27.3, 258.2 (organisation of a terrorist act, committed by a group, acting in concert).

Efforts to bring the handler to justice are ongoing.

The investigation was carried out by the SSU Odesa Office, under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.