A 21-year-old student who planned to set fire to generators was detained in Odesa

The Security Service of Ukraine detained a 21-year-old student in Odesa who is suspected of treason. According to the investigation, he was gathering intelligence to prepare acts of sabotage and was planning disinformation campaigns at the behest of Russian intelligence agencies.

This was reported by the SBU.

According to the case file, the student came to the attention of Russian intelligence agencies while looking for easy money in themed Telegram chats. At the behest of his Russian handlers, he documented the locations of large generators in Odesa that were slated to be set on fire, monitored a critical infrastructure facility, and attempted to determine the residential address of a Ukrainian servicemember.

In addition, the suspect prepared information provocations to destabilize the situation in Odesa. According to the SBU, one of his tasks was to hack into the control system for digital billboards in order to display Russian propaganda on them. To this end, he received special software from his handlers.

His next task was to display the Russian flag on a digital billboard in the city center.

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PHOTO: SBU

SBU officers documented the suspect’s activities and detained him at his residence. During a search, they seized a cell phone containing evidence of his collaboration with Russian intelligence services.

The suspect was notified of charges under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—treason under martial law. He is currently being held in custody without the right to bail. The penalty under this article provides for life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Андрій Колісніченко