Counterintelligence officers from the Security Service of Ukraine, alongside the National Police, apprehended a suspect linked to a terror attack that occurred on September 14 in the Zhytomyr region.
The incident involved the detonation of a homemade explosive device, resulting in the death of a 34-year-old local resident.
The perpetrator was captured just 8 hours after the attack.
Investigations revealed that the attacker was a 31-year-old drug-dependent resident of Zhytomyr, recruited by Russian intelligence via Telegram channels, where he sought funds for drugs.
In exchange for promises of quick profit, the suspect agreed to orchestrate the terror act. He initially rented an apartment in the regional center and, under the guise of routine shopping, acquired components to create the explosive device.
Following instructions from his Russian handlers, he manufactured the bomb, equipped it with a mobile phone for remote detonation, and disguised it as a fire extinguisher.
After preparing the explosive, he concealed it in a hidden location, covered it with garbage, and sent the coordinates to his supervisors.
To monitor the victim's arrival at the attack site and trigger the bomb, the agent set up a camera with remote access.
During the search, authorities seized a smartphone containing evidence of his contacts with Russian intelligence.
The SBU investigators charged him under part 3 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (terrorist act leading to death).
The suspect is in custody and faces life imprisonment along with asset confiscation.
The operations were conducted in collaboration with the National Police under the procedural guidance of the regional prosecutor's office.