The counterintelligence unit of the Security Service of Ukraine has successfully thwarted new terrorist attacks in the Dnipropetrovsk region. As a result of proactive measures in an industrial city, two individuals were arrested who were acting on behalf of Russian special services and were manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The perpetrators were identified as a 27-year-old deserter from Pokrovsk district in Donetsk region and his 34-year-old partner, both recruited by Russian operatives.
The deserter, having abandoned his military unit, was hiding in her apartment. They began searching for easy money through Telegram channels, which led them to be noticed by the enemy.
After recruitment, the suspects received instructions from their handler on how to build a bomb capable of blowing up a vehicle.
According to the investigation materials, the criminals intended to disguise the explosive as a fire extinguisher, load it with nuts to enhance its lethality, and then hide it based on coordinates provided by their handler. Subsequently, Russian operatives planned to detonate the bomb via a mobile phone call.
SBU officers detected the hostile intentions in time and apprehended both agents while they were finishing assembling the IED in their residence.
During the searches, components for the bomb and smartphones containing evidence of their contacts with the enemy were seized from the detainees.
SBU investigators informed the detainees of their suspicion under part 1 of Article 14, part 2 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (preparation for a terrorist act committed by a group of persons by prior agreement).
The suspects are currently in custody and face up to 12 years imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The comprehensive measures were carried out by SBU employees in the Dnipropetrovsk region under the procedural guidance of the Kryvyi Rih Specialized Prosecutor's Office.