In Mykolaiv, the SSU Counterintelligence prevented another terrorist attack. As a result of pre-emptive actions, an enemy agent was detained in the city: on behalf of the FSB, he was preparing to blow up a car with Defence Forces servicemen.

The investigation established that the perpetrator was supposed to plant an improvised explosive device under the service vehicle of Ukrainian soldiers fighting on the southern front.

The Security Service of Ukraine uncovered russia’s plans at an early stage and detained the suspect in a rented apartment while he was assembling a remote-controlled bomb.

The order from the ruscists was carried out by a 20-year-old handyman from Kyiv. He came to the attention of russia’s federal security service when he was looking for easy money on Telegram.

After recruitment, the Kyiv resident had video training from a russian handler on making an IED.

The agent was then sent to Mykolaiv, where he rented an apartment with money from the russians. There, he began to assemble the bomb, adding metal nuts and a mobile phone for remote activation.

He was supposed to plant the IED, disguised as a fire extinguisher, under a parked car of Ukrainian defenders and detonate it remotely when the soldiers approached the vehicle.

Components for the explosive device and a smartphone with evidence of his work for the FSB were seized during the search at the suspect’s rented flat.

SSU investigators have notified the detainee of suspicion under Articles 14.1 and 258.2 of the CCU (preparation for a terrorist act by a group, upon prior conspiracy).

The suspect is in custody without bail and faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Mykolaiv region under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.