The SSU has completed a pre-trial investigation against four members of an agent group of russia’s GRU, dismantled by the SSU in the spring of 2024. Based on the evidence, several of the perpetrators are facing life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

On the eve of May 9, they were preparing a series of large-scale bombings in construction hypermarkets and near a cafe in Kyiv.

According to the investigation, the agents received such a task from their russian handler, Yuri Syzov, a serviceman of the main directorate of the general staff of the russian armed forces (‘the GRU’).

On his instructions, the men arrived in Kyiv, where they installed explosive devices in three construction shopping malls.

The improvised explosives were disguised in tea jars and were to detonate in the hypermarkets and cause maximum damage to the civilians.

Simultaneously, the perpetrators were preparing another explosion near a popular café in Kyiv. They planned to mine a car parked nearby.

The SSU Counterintelligence and investigators were proactive and prevented the series of terrorist attacks. As a result of a multi-stage special operation, the sabotage activities of the entire GRU agent group and their handler were documented.

The SSU detained the enemy assets ’red-handed’ when they were installing explosive devices in a Kyiv hypermarket.

Later, another two members of the group were apprehended. They are the smugglers who transported explosives from russia for the terrorist attacks.

The investigation established that, at the GRU’s request, the suppliers of explosives were supposed to ensure the extraction of one of the perpetrators to russia. They planned to bring him to the border with russia and provide detailed instructions on how to cross it.

In addition, Yuriy Syzov, the GRU employee, was also responsible for an act of sabotage that was to take place in Lviv region in February 2024. Then, the SSU also worked proactively and prevented explosions at a defense enterprise.

Based on the evidence collected by SSU investigators, the detained individuals will be tried, in accordance with the crimes committed, under the Articles of the CCU:

• 111.2 (high treason);
• 113.3 (sabotage);
• 258.2 (terrorist act);
• 263.1 (illegal handling of explosives and explosive devices);
• 332.2 (organization of illegal crossing of the state border).

The investigation was carried out under the procedural supervision of Lviv Region Prosecutor’s Office.