The SSU exposed Ukrainian citizens who, instructed by Russian special services, were to commit provocations against Russian population. The aggressor state could use such actions as another reason to justify further pressure on Ukraine.

According to preliminary data, the hostile special services developed a thorough plan of provocations and subversions directed against Russian population, for which they intended to blame Ukraine.

In Kyiv region, the organizers recruited three residents with criminal background. To take them to Russia, they had to be provided with fake IDs.

The recruited agents were tasked to form two teams of five members. The departure of the first group was scheduled for the next few days.

Russian supervisors developed a step-by-step instruction with all details to follow at a location in Russia. The teams were promised USD 4,000 per person for participating in the provocations.

The handlers assured the titushky that after the task was completed, they would be sent home. However, according to available data, the provocateurs were to be eliminated during detention.

The SSU prevented such a scenario. The recruited agents and their accomplices were detained simultaneously in Kyiv and Kyiv region.

The detainees are coaches of contact martial arts sports clubs. They have repeatedly been involved by pro-Russian forces as rent-a-mob to carry out provocations and paid protests in various regions of Ukraine.

In particular, in October-December 2021, they vandalized Bandera monument in Ternopil, a synagogue and a foreign mission in Odesa.

In addition, one of the detainees created a so-called ‘enforcement wing’, which included members of sports clubs and criminals. The group was tasked to take part in paid mass riots in downtown Kyiv in late January 2022 and provoke fights. Due to proactive response, the law enforcement foiled such plans.

The searches resulted in seizing firearms with ammunition as well as copies of foreign passports of individuals who were to be sent to Russia to commit provocations.

Criminal proceedings were opened under Article 111 (treason) of the CCU. Investigation is underway.

The SSU National Statehood Protection Department carried out the operation together with the SSU Investigative Directorate under the supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.