In Mykolaiv, a man pleaded guilty to collaborating with a Russian intelligence agency

In Mykolaiv, a man was punished for planning a terrorist attack at the behest of a representative of the Russian special services. According to the case file, he received instructions via Telegram, retrieved explosive components from a hiding place, and prepared them for use.

The Center for Public Investigations examined the details of the case.

According to the investigation, in early October 2025, the man began exchanging messages on Telegram with an unidentified individual who, according to investigators, was acting on behalf of Russia. The contact offered him money to carry out various tasks, including manufacturing explosives, transporting them, and setting cars on fire. The man agreed to cooperate.

On October 22, he arrived in Mykolaiv and checked into the “Nikotel” hotel. The next day, he retrieved a backpack containing explosive components from a hiding place and left it at the hotel. He then rented an apartment and moved the backpack there. According to the investigation, the backpack contained specially manufactured components of a simulated homemade explosive device, which the SBU had planted as part of a special investigative experiment.

According to the prosecution, he continued preparing the explosives in the apartment following instructions from his contact. The man purchased fire extinguishers, electrical tape, rubber gloves, and other items. One of the devices was intended to be used to blow up a car.

On October 25, 2025, the man was detained by SBU officers. During a search of the apartment, law enforcement officers seized fire extinguishers, saltpeter, electric matches, cell phones with wires attached, gloves, and other items. Messages exchanged with the coordinator were also found on the phones. In court, the defendant pleaded guilty and expressed remorse.

Also in Mykolaiv, a man was suspected of planning a terrorist attack and having contacts with a representative of the Russian Federation. Investigators believe he was setting up Starlink terminals that were later to be used by the Russian military. 

Анна Літман