Sabotage, provocations, contract killings: International network operating under supervision of Russian intelligence agencies foiled
Prosecutors from the Prosecutor General's Office, together with investigators from the National Police of Ukraine and law enforcement agencies from several countries, conducted an international operation that exposed a group of individuals who, under the supervision of Russian intelligence services, were planning a series of contract killings and acts of sabotage on EU territory.
According to Ukrinform, the Prosecutor General's Office reported this.
According to the investigation, beginning in August 2024, representatives of Russian intelligence agencies, operating from the territory of other countries and using intermediaries under their control, organized activities aimed at preparing violent crimes in European Union countries.
One of the key areas of focus was the preparation of contract killings in the Republic of Lithuania.
Members of the group conducted prolonged covert surveillance of two individuals—a Russian public figure who had been granted political asylum in Lithuania, and a Lithuanian citizen known for his support of Ukraine. They gathered detailed information about their residences, travel routes, daily routines, and other data necessary for planning an attack.
Citizens of various countries, including Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Georgia, Latvia, Moldova, and Greece, were involved in carrying out these tasks.
Some conducted external surveillance, others pursued perpetrators, and still others handled financing, logistics, and communication among participants.
The perpetrators were recruited through intermediaries, including individuals with criminal records.
Funding was provided through channels controlled by representatives of Russian intelligence agencies, using forged documents and bank accounts opened under false identities, thereby concealing the origin of the funds.
An attempt to carry out a contract killing on Lithuanian territory was thwarted. Some of the perpetrators were detained, while others refused to participate in the crime. One of the participants was detained directly during the preparation of the attack.
Subsequently, during further investigative actions and analysis of mobile phone data, it was established that the network's activities spanned several other countries and included preparations for sabotage and provocations.
Specifically, in one EU country, information was being gathered on military facilities and equipment intended for transfer to Ukraine. In another country, scenario, scenario, provocations and arson attacks on infrastructure facilities were being considered. Sabotage activities were also documented on the premises of a military enterprise.
Furthermore, it was established that members of the group were considering the possibility of carrying out violent acts against military and public figures in Ukraine.
As part of an international operation, law enforcement agencies from several countries conducted arrests and searches within the European Union.
Some of those detained have already been transferred to Lithuania.
Lithuanian law enforcement authorities have charged 13 individuals. Nine of them have been detained, and four have been issued European arrest warrants. Three individuals detained abroad have already been transferred to Lithuania to face criminal charges, and relevant procedures are ongoing for the other two.
Dozens of people were involved in the network's operations. The network's activities spanned at least several European countries.
As reported by Ukrinform, in March, a Russian intelligence and combat network of 10 individuals was neutralized in Ukraine; they had been spying on the Defense Forces and planning contract killings of public figures, including volunteer Serhii Sternenko and Russian Volunteer Corps fighter Illia Bohdanov.
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