Blowing up and setting fire: law enforcement detains terrorists in Odesa

The Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police reported neutralizing an agent group of the Russian Federal Security Service in Odesa.

According to the SBU press service, the group consisted of three local residents who were supposed to commit explosions and arsons in different regions of Ukraine.

In the near future, they were preparing to detonate an improvised explosive device with numerous casualties in southern Ukraine. According to the case file, the defendants managed to carry out one explosion in Kyiv, after which the offenders were detained in hot pursuit.

Thus, in mid-November this year, a 17-year-old member of a hostile cell arrived in Kyiv, where he planted explosives near the building of one of the state bodies of Ukraine. The explosive device was stuffed with nails and screws and was activated by a remote control module.

After the explosion, the SBU documented the offender's actions step by step to identify his accomplices and expose the entire network. It was documented how the suspect was hiding in rented apartments in Kyiv and later returned to Odesa by train to commit new terrorist attacks.

The SBU and the National Police detained the bomber red-handed when he purchased chemical components and destruction elements for the manufacture of another explosive. In addition, during the special operation, his accomplices were detained - two Odesa residents aged 15 and 20 who set fire to Ukrposhta offices in the port cities of Odesa and Mykolaiv.

Photo: SBU

The investigation established that all three suspects were remotely connected to one Russian supervisor, who came to their attention in Telegram channels looking for easy money. The agents developed and coordinated with him plans for terrorist attacks, and manufactured flammable materials and explosive devices according to his instructions.

The SBU and National Police investigators have served the detainees a notice of suspicion (in accordance with the crimes committed) under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• ч. 1 Art. 258 (terrorist act);
• ч. 2 of Art. 194 (intentional destruction or damage to property committed by arson, explosion or other generally dangerous means).

The two offenders are in custody. The issue of bringing to justice the minor member of the hostile group is being settled. The offenders face up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property.