SSU has detained Russian GRU agent who was setting up caches of explosives for terrorist attacks in Kharkiv. PHOTO
The SSU’s counter-intelligence unit has detained a Russian military intelligence agent near Kharkiv who was setting up hiding places containing homemade explosive devices in preparation for terrorist attacks. The explosives were being smuggled into the Kharkiv region from Russia using ‘Molniya’-type drones.
According to Censor.NET, this was reported by the Security Service of Ukraine.
According to the investigation, the agent planned to disguise one of the explosive ‘parcels’ as a car battery and the other as a car tyre with a rim. He was to pass on the coordinates of the hiding places to Russian military intelligence.
The perpetrators of the terrorist attacks were then to travel to the hiding places, collect the homemade explosive devices and plant them at the planned detonation sites.
SSU officers documented the agent’s activities and detained him whilst he was setting up a hiding place.
How Russian intelligence recruited the agent
According to the SSU, the task assigned by the Russian special services was carried out by a local unemployed man who came to the Russians’ attention due to pro-Kremlin comments in Telegram channel chat rooms.
After being recruited, the man initially tracked the locations of Ukrainian defenders in Kharkiv, which Russian troops were targeting for missile and air strikes. He was subsequently tasked with intercepting a Russian drone carrying an explosive ‘package’.
During a search of the detainee’s car, over 4 kg of explosives, three electric detonators and a ready-to-use homemade explosive device disguised as a car battery were seized.
What punishment does the detainee face?
SSU investigators informed the man that he was suspected of an offence under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – treason committed under martial law.
The suspect is being held in custody without the right to bail. Under the charge brought against him, he faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The issue of whether to additionally charge him under articles relating to the preparation of a terrorist act and the unlawful possession of explosive substances and devices is also being considered.
