The SSU has conducted a multi-stage special operation to neutralize a deeply placed enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group. Agents of the general staff of the russian armed forces were preparing a terrorist attack - shooting down a passenger plane over the territory of russia or belarus.

The occupiers intended to groundlessly accuse Ukraine and our partners of attacking the aircraft. To carry out the provocation, the perpetrators wanted to fire at a civilian aircraft from a portable anti-aircraft missile system (MANPADS) Stinger.

Russian special services instructed their agent group to steal and smuggle a foreign-made MANPADS.

The enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group consisted of two individuals with dual citizenship and an accomplice they had recruited. Their activities were coordinated by a russian, Olexander Tyuterev, who is a staff member of the general staff of russian armed forces, with a call sign ‘Morpekh’ [marine].

It was established that he had previously participated in organization of a series of terrorist attacks in Odesa region, for which he is wanted.

Following his instructions, enemy agents tried to establish contacts with representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posing as patriotic volunteers. In order to gain ‘trust’, they passed to the Ukrainian military truthful information on the positions and movements of the occupation units of the so-called ‘kadyrovites’.

Further, russian agents planned to use the established contacts to illegally obtain foreign-made MANPADS and hand them over to the aggressor state.

During the special operation, the SSU detained all members of the occupiers’ group.

Investigative and operational activities are underway to establish all the circumstances of the crime and bring its organizers to justice.

At the same time, while revealing these criminal plans, the SSU also uncovered facts that indicate a significant degradation of russian intelligence services.

Among other things, it was established that ‘Morpekh’ lied to his leadership about the successes in Ukraine and gave the saboteurs under his control the task to falsify a terrorist attack in Ukrainian rear. They were preparing staged photos and videos with alleged ‘attack on Territorial Defence checkpoint.’