The SSU Counterintelligence has detained another two agents of russian military intelligence (‘the GRU’) in Odesa. On behalf of the enemy, they were plotting attacks on Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel stationed in the region by dropping explosives from a civilian quadcopter.

The Security Service acted preemptively and apprehended the perpetrators on the eve of the planned launch of the UAV, when they already had a bomb ready for dropping and a target – which had been approved by their russian handler – one of the locations of a Defence Forces unit.

One of the enemy accomplices is a 49-year-old local entrepreneur who was recruited by the occupiers through a Telegram channel offering ‘easy money’.

He first received a quadcopter from the GRU, then took 2 kg of plastic explosives and components for an improvised explosive device from a cache and equipped the drone with them.

Later, he enlisted the help of his 47-year-old acquaintance, who helped him scout out the locations with large numbers of Ukrainian servicemen. They marked the identified sites on Google Maps and reported to their russian handler.

After agreeing on the targets with the russian intelligence, they began preparing for an air strike.

At this stage, they were detained by the Security Service.

A quadcopter with explosives was seized, as well as a Kalashnikov assault rifle, two Makarov pistols with ammunition, an F-1 combat grenade, and other weapons were seized during the search.

SSU investigators have notified the detainees of suspicion under several Articles of the CCU:

• 111.2 (high treason, committed under martial law);
• 27.5, 111.2 (aiding and abetting high treason, committed under martial law).

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

The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime, including the channels for acquiring firearms and ammunition.

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