The SSU Counterintelligence, in cooperation with the SSU Odesa Office, foiled an attempt by russia to carry out a contract killing of a high-ranking officer of Ukraine’s Defence Forces.

As a result of a special operation in Odesa, an enemy agent was apprehended while attempting to assassinate a high-ranking officer of the Ukrainian Navy.

The investigation revealed that on the day of the assassination attempt, the hitman, armed with a pistol and two loaded magazines, took up a position near the exit of the residential complex where the Ukrainian officer lives.

While pretending to repair a bicycle, the perpetrator, wearing a balaclava, waited for the officer’s car.

When the car approached the exit, he threw the bicycle under the wheels of the vehicle and attempted to open fire on the driver.

At that moment, the hitman was apprehended by a task force comprising counterintelligence operatives and the SSU ‘A’ special forces, which had been surveilling the suspect and had documented his every move.

According to the investigation, the enemy’s task was carried out by a 37-year-old resident of one of the Balkan countries who had been recruited by the russian intelligence services.

In February 2026, the foreigner arrived in Kyiv under a tourist cover and later travelled to Odesa to carry out the task.

Upon arriving in the port city, he received geolocation coordinates for a cache from his russian handler, from which he retrieved a pistol with a silencer and ammunition.

The enemy asset then tracked the potential victim’s main locations and travel routes, after which he approved the site of the planned assassination with the handler.

To maintain secrecy, the individual repeatedly changed rented apartments and hotel rooms in Odesa.

SSU investigators have notified the foreign national of suspicion under Article 15.2 and 258.2 of the CCU (attempted commission of a terrorist act).

The suspect is in custody and faces up to 12 years in prison.

The operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.