Russian agent who was preparing to blow up gas pipeline in eastern Ukraine detained, - SSU. PHOTO

The Security Service's counterintelligence prevented attempts by Russian forces to cut off heat supply to some households in the Kharkiv and Poltava regions.

This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to the SSU press centre.

Agent planned to blow up gas pipeline

As a result of pre-emptive actions, an agent of Russian military intelligence (known as GRU) was detained who was preparing to blow up a main gas pipeline in eastern Ukraine.

The investigation established that the agent was to plant an improvised explosive device (IED) near the junction of gas lines that supply heat to both regions.

Who was the traitor?

According to the case file, the perpetrator was an unemployed Kharkiv resident who came to the attention of the occupiers when he wrote anti-Ukrainian comments on Telegram channels.

There, he was approached by a militant of the so-called "DNR special forces" who is fighting against Ukraine on the eastern front and cooperating with the Russian gru.

"Following his instructions, the agent purchased components for explosives and made an IED himself. For the sake of secrecy, he set up an underground "workshop" in his parents' house in the Berestynskyi district of Kharkiv region," the SSU explained.

How was the traitor detained?

The SSU counterintelligence service gradually documented the agent's subversive activities and detained him at the final stage of assembling the bomb.

During searches, the detainee's equipped IED was seized, as well as a smartphone with evidence of working for the enemy.

Based on the evidence gathered, Security Service investigators informed the defendant of suspicion under Part 1 of Article 14 and Part 2 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (preparation for a terrorist act by a group of persons by prior conspiracy).

The issue of additional qualification of his actions as high treason committed under martial law is being decided.