In Kyiv, the SSU Counterintelligence neutralized an activated agent and combat group of russia’s FSB, consisting of three individuals preparing a series of explosions at Ukrainian military command and control facilities.

The aggressor’s priority targets were units of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Defence Ministry, as well as their backup command posts.

The members of the group plotted to use up to 10 drones, which they had equipped with improvised explosive devices, to commit sabotage.

However, the SSU worked proactively and detained all three suspects when they began the active phase of preparing the attacks.

The enemy group was formed in 2018 by an officer of the 9th directorate of the operational information department of the FSB’s 5^th service. It included three persons (Kyiv and Chernihiv residents), who after recruitment were put on standby until the start of russia’s full-scale invasion.

Each of them had a specialization in reconnaissance and sabotage activities: one individual made improvised explosive devices, while another converted civilian UAVs into attack drones.

Labs for making explosives and modifying drones were set up at the suspects’ homes.

The third member of the enemy group, a woman, was in charge of operating the drones. To acquire the skills, she took a UAV operator training course in March this year in Kyiv region.

She also purchased chemical components for making explosives, placing the online orders on behalf of bogus persons.

In spring this year, the agents started tracking locations of Ukraine’s Defence Forces in Kyiv region. To do that, they tried to use their acquaintances among the Ukrainian military, hoping they would unwittingly provide information.

The members of the cell also flew their drones to reconnoiter the areas where, according to their intelligence, the AFU units were present.

To maximize secrecy, the suspects constantly changed their locations. In one of the apartments, they set a fire to hide traces of homemade explosives.

During the searches of their places of stay, the SSU found explosives with detonators, firearms and ammunition.

Based on the collected evidence, the SSU notified the enemy accomplices of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

• 258-3.1 (creation of a terrorist group or terrorist organization or participation in it);
• 263-1.3 (illegal manufacture, alteration or repair of firearms or falsification, illegal removal or alteration of their markings, or illegal manufacture of ammunition, explosives or explosive devices).

The suspects are in custody, facing up to 15 years in prison.

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