A Russian agent was planning a terrorist attack in downtown Mykolaiv

In Mykolaiv, security forces detained a deserter recruited by the Russians who was planning a terrorist attack in the city center

According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the suspect was caught in the act of planting a homemade explosive device under a vehicle belonging to a member of the Defense Forces.

According to the investigation, the mission was carried out by a conscript from the Bashtanka district who had been recruited by the enemy. He came to the attention of Russian intelligence after he deserted his military unit and began looking for work on Telegram channels.

After receiving instructions from his handler, the suspect conducted a reconnaissance mission near the potential target’s vehicle and reported to his Russian handler that he was ready to carry out the attack. He then received the coordinates of a hideout, from which he retrieved a homemade explosive device, and attempted to plant it under a military vehicle.

The investigation also established that the deserter had been tasked by the enemy with registering Starlink satellite terminals. Initially, he registered the device in his own name and provided the details to his handler in Russia.

Later, the man attempted to recruit his wife and ten drug addicts to participate in the clandestine registration of the terminals; they agreed to provide their passport information in exchange for the promise of money “for a fix.” If the enemy had gained access to the Starlink terminals, it planned to use them to guide missile, bomb, artillery, and drone attacks on the southern front.

During searches, investigators seized a smartphone from the detainee, which he had used to coordinate his actions with his handler. The illegally registered Starlink terminal was blocked.

SBU investigators informed the man that he was suspected of high treason committed under martial law (Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and a completed attempt to commit a terrorist act (Part 2 of Article 15, Part 1 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The suspect is being held in custody without the right to bail and faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Ірина Глухова