The SBU’s military counter-intelligence unit has detained two FSB agents who, according to the investigation, were planning the murder of several dozen people in the Kharkiv region, mainly members of the Defence Forces. To this end, they set up a «charity» party as a cover, where they planned to spike drinks with potent substances. The SBU also announced that it had seized components of an explosive device.
Briefly about the main points
- Two FSB agents have been detained in the Kharkiv region.
- They lured soldiers to a fake «charity» party.
- Several dozen people agreed to attend the event.
- One of the detainees was carrying a homemade explosive device in his rucksack.
- The suspects face life imprisonment.
How the party scheme worked
According to the case file, the Russian security services enlisted agents to organise a «themed event» for Ukrainian military personnel. The suspects rented a house outside the city and circulated invitations via local Telegram channels.
According to the Russian side’s plan, agents were to add potent substances to the drinks during the party, the consumption of which would lead to death. Several dozen people agreed to attend the event; most of them were members of the Defence Forces.
This referred to a specific cover story devised for this operation, rather than the risks inherent in charitable activities in general.
From the first orders to the preparation of the explosion
The investigation has established, that both suspects were recruited remotely via Telegram channels, where they were offered «easy money». Initially, they carried out test tasks: they photographed and filmed specific objects, and also set fire to a Defence Forces vehicle.
Subsequently, according to the SBU, the suspects were instructed by their handler to construct a powerful bomb with a 10-kilogram explosive charge. One of them was arrested whilst carrying a homemade explosive device in a rucksack. Another suspect — a resident of the Kharkiv region — was arrested in a rented house where she had been synthesising the components for the bomb.
During the searches, law enforcement officers seized components of an explosive device and mobile phones containing evidence of contact with a Russian handler and instructions regarding other intelligence and sabotage missions.
What charges have been brought against those detained?
Two suspects have been charged with plotting a terrorist attack and the unlawful handling of weapons, ammunition or explosive substances. The court has ordered that they be remanded in custody without the option of bail.
If found guilty, the suspects face life imprisonment. The operation was carried out by military counter-intelligence and investigators from the Kharkiv Regional Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), under the procedural supervision of the regional prosecutor’s office and with the assistance of the National Police’s Department of Strategic Investigations. It was personally coordinated by the head of the SBU, Major General Oleksandr Poklad.
Where to report attempts at recruitment
The Kharkiv Regional Police had previously warned that Russian security services were using messaging apps and social media to recruit people to carry out arson attacks, plant explosives and commit other crimes. The promise of quick money is one of the methods used to recruit people initially, according to Ukrainian law enforcement officials.
The SBU urges the public to report any attempts at recruitment, requests to carry an unknown parcel, to keep an eye on someone, or to commit arson. The following channels are available for such reports: short number 1516, the «Burn the FSB Agent» chatbot and email callcenter@ssu.gov.ua.
