Based on evidence collected by the Security Service of Ukraine, an agent of the russian military intelligence (the GRU) has been sentenced to a prison term after being exposed whilst preparing a terrorist attack in Kyiv in June 2025.

The investigation revealed that the perpetrator, an assistant head chef at a local restaurant, had been recruited by the enemy and was planning to blow up a Ukrainian National Guard serviceman.

To carry out the attack, the agent purchased a scooter, planted an improvised explosive device on it, and left it in a courtyard in the Dniprovskyi district of Kyiv.

The GRU then lured the serviceman to the site of the planned attack by arranging a date with a ‘girl’ he had met on a dating app.

When he arrived at the meeting point, his virtual ‘date’ sent him a message asking him to retrieve the keys from her flat from the scooter. The ‘date’ turned out to actually be a russian operative preparing the attack.

Not seeing any keys in the ignition, the soldier quickly moved away from the booby-trapped vehicle, thereby saving his life.

Following this failed attempt at assassination, the GRU agent was given a new task: to travel to the town of Pryluky in the Chernihiv region, check into a hotel, and prepare to carry out arson attacks.

The SSU apprehended the perpetrator red-handed immediately after he attempted to destroy a Defence Forces vehicle.

During the search, components for an IED and a mobile phone containing evidence of his collaboration with russia were seized from the detainee.

Based on evidence collected by the Security Service, the accused was found guilty of committing a terrorist act under Article 258.2 of the CCU.

Given his cooperation with the investigation, the court sentenced him to seven years and six months’ imprisonment and confiscation of property.

The investigation was carried out by the SSU Office in Kyiv and Kyiv region jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office.