The security forces uncovered an attempt by Russian operatives to orchestrate a terror attack against Ukrainian troops in the southern Kharkiv region.
In Lozova, a Russian agent was detained while preparing to blow up a Ukrainian Armed Forces vehicle using an improvised explosive device (IED).
The suspect intended to remotely detonate the explosives as Ukrainian soldiers approached the rigged transport.
The SBU timely identified the hostile intentions and apprehended the agent while he was attempting to plant the explosives under the military vehicle.
Investigations revealed that a 53-year-old local unemployed man was the executor of the task ordered by Russia, having come to the attention of the occupiers through Telegram channels advertising “easy earnings.”
Following his curator's directives, he initially tracked the official vehicle and then crafted the IED, which he intended to fill with nuts to enhance its destructive impact.
During searches, law enforcement seized a ready IED disguised as a fire extinguisher, other components for the explosives, as well as a smartphone containing evidence of his work for the enemy.
The SBU informed the agent of suspicion under Part 1 of Article 14 and Part 2 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (preparation for committing a terrorist act by a group of individuals).
The perpetrator is held in custody without the right to bail and faces up to 12 years in prison with asset confiscation.
The operation was conducted by SBU officers in the Kharkiv region in collaboration with the National Police under the procedural guidance of the regional prosecutor's office.