The counterintelligence unit of the Security Service of Ukraine successfully thwarted planned terrorist attacks in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Following proactive measures, two individuals were arrested in an industrial city of the region for producing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on behalf of the enemy.
The suspects were identified as a 27-year-old deserter from the Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region and his 34-year-old partner.
After deserting from his military unit, the deserter was hiding in his partner's apartment in Dnipropetrovsk. They soon began searching for "easy money" through Telegram channels, where they caught the attention of the occupiers.
After being recruited, the individuals received instructions from their handler on how to create a bomb capable of detonating a vehicle.
According to the investigation materials, the suspects planned to disguise the explosive as a fire extinguisher, add nuts to enhance its destructive power, and then hide it at coordinates provided by the handler. The Russian special services intended to detonate it using a phone call to a mobile device attached to the bomb.
The SBU detected their malicious intentions in time and arrested both agents as they were finalizing the assembly of the IED in their home.
During searches, components for the bomb and smartphones containing evidence of their contacts with the occupiers were seized.
The investigators of the Security Service informed the suspects of their charges 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 through prior conspiracy).
The suspects are currently in custody and face up to 12 years in prison with asset confiscation.
Comprehensive measures were conducted by SBU personnel in the Dnipropetrovsk region under the procedural guidance of the Kryvyi Rih specialized prosecutor's office in the defense sector of the Eastern region.