In Kharkiv, the SSU Counterintelligence has neutralized an agent group of russian military intelligence (‘the GRU’). The perpetrators committed terrorist acts in the frontline city and spied on Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

In June this year, they blew up a car of an Armed Forces serviceman. He was seriously injured by the explosion.

To commit the attack, the perpetrators identified a parking lot in Kharkiv and planted an improvised explosive device under the vehicle.

According to the investigation, the enemy cell consisted of four local residents: a Kharkiv software engineer, a former military man and two unemployed individuals.

The group’s activities were coordinated by a DNR special forces militant who is fighting against Ukraine on the eastern front together with the invaders.

On his instructions, after blowing up the Ukrainian soldier’s car, the agents were plotting the next terrorist attack against the Defense Forces.

To do this, they made another IED and tried to hide it in a prepared cache.

The assets were also tasked with tracking and derailing a train that was transporting military equipment to the front line.

The SSU Counterintelligence documented the crimes and detained all four members of the group.

One of them was apprehended ‘red-handed’ in a forest where he was trying to hide a box with the explosive device.

The other suspects were detained at their homes. During the searches, explosives were seized from them, as well as mobile phones and computer equipment with evidence.

SSU investigators notified the detained individuals of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

• 111.2 (high treason, committed under martial law);
• 263.1 (illegal handling of explosives).

The agents’ crimes may also be further qualified under Article 113 (sabotage) and 258 (terrorist act).

The suspects are in custody and face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

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