The Security Service of Ukraine, along with the National Police, successfully disrupted an attempt by Russian agents to carry out a terrorist attack against Ukrainian forces in the southern Kharkiv region.
In Lozova, a Russian agent was apprehended while preparing to detonate a vehicle of the Armed Forces of Ukraine using a homemade explosive device (HED).
The suspect planned to remotely trigger the explosives when Ukrainian soldiers approached the rigged vehicle.
SBU officers uncovered the hostile intentions in advance and arrested the agent during his attempt to plant explosives under a military vehicle.
The investigation revealed that the executor of the Russian order was a 53-year-old local unemployed individual who had come to the attention of the occupiers through Telegram channels seeking «easy money».
Following the curator's instructions, the agent first tracked a service vehicle, then personally manufactured the HED, intending to enhance its destructive power by adding nuts.
During searches, law enforcement seized a ready-to-use HED disguised as a fire extinguisher, other components for the explosives, and a smartphone containing evidence of collaboration with the enemy.
Investigators from the Security Service have notified the agent of suspicion under Part 1 of Article 14, Part 2 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (preparation for a terrorist act by a group of persons under prior conspiracy).
The perpetrator is currently in custody without the right to bail. He faces up to 12 years in prison with asset forfeiture.
Comprehensive measures were conducted by SBU employees in the Kharkiv region in collaboration with the National Police under the procedural guidance of the regional prosecutor's office.