Based on evidence collected by the Security Service of Ukraine, two agents of russia’s federal security service, detained by the SSU in June 2024, have been convicted to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property. They carried out arson attacks on relay cabinets on the railways in Rivne region.

By sabotaging the railway infrastructure, the enemy hoped to disrupt the transport logistics of the Defence Forces in western Ukraine.

As the investigation established, russia’s orders were carried out by two local unemployed men, recruited through a Telegram channel offering ‘easy money’.

After a promise of a quick payment, the agents found a relay cabinet that powers semaphores on one of the railway lines.

Having approved the target with their FSB handler, the arsonists set fire to the equipment using a flammable mixture.

Each of the agents was responsible for a part of the task: one of them set fire to the relay cabinet, while the other recorded this on a phone camera for a ‘report’ to the enemy service.

The SSU apprehended the suspects red-handed immediately after the crime was committed.

Based on the SSU’s investigation, the court found the accused guilty under Article 28.2 and 113.2 of the CCU (sabotage, committed by a group, upon prior conspiracy, under martial law).

The investigation was conducted by the SSU Office in Rivne region jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.