SSU detains Russian agent preparing terrorist attack in Kharkiv

According to Ukrinform, the SSU reported this.

According to the case materials, the perpetrator turned out to be a local unemployed man previously convicted for participating in the 2014 attempt to seize the Kharkiv Regional State Administration building. At the time, the court sentenced him to five years in prison with a three-year probation period. It was during this probation period that an FSB operative approached, recruited him, and the man was waiting for further instructions.

As the investigation established, in the autumn of this year, the occupiers “activated” their agent via a messenger app and instructed him to manufacture an improvised explosive device.

The suspect was soon to plant the improvised explosive device at the coordinates he was expecting to receive from his Russian handler.

During searches of the detainee’s residence, law enforcement officers seized an unfinished explosive device with its components, as well as a smartphone containing evidence of collaboration with the occupiers.

Currently, SSU investigators have notified the detainee 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 committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy).

The suspect is being held in custody without the right to bail. He faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The issue of additional legal qualification of the suspect’s criminal actions is currently under consideration.

As reported by Ukrinform, the Security Service of Ukraine earlier foiled a former military instructor, a citizen of the United Kingdom, for collaborating with Russian occupiers.

Photo: SSU