In the Odesa region, the SBU detained a Russian agent carrying a bomb

Law enforcement officials thwarted a terrorist attack in Izmail. Counterintelligence detained a local resident who, acting on orders from Russian intelligence services, had fabricated a homemade explosive device with a yield of 10 kg.

This was reported by the SBU press service.

According to the investigation, the man planned to plant the explosive near the administrative building of one of the government agencies in Izmail. Russian intelligence agencies allegedly planned to detonate the device remotely during rush hour, when the largest number of people would be in the vicinity.

The agent manufactured the explosive in his own apartment. According to the SBU, the homemade device had a yield of 10 kg in TNT equivalent, and metal screws and bolts were added to increase its destructive power.

<picture></picture>PHOTO: ssu.gov.ua

Law enforcement officers were able to apprehend the man before he planted the explosive near the targeted site. The SBU reported that the agent was exposed while finishing the assembly of the homemade explosive device.

According to the case file, the man was recruited by Russian intelligence services after he sought employment opportunities in Telegram chats in July. He was offered money to carry out the mission, after which a Russian handler provided step-by-step instructions for making the explosive and specified which components he needed to purchase.

To detonate the device remotely, the suspect, according to the investigation, equipped it with a mobile phone capable of remote access. The SBU noted that the Russian side intended to use the explosion to cause mass casualties among civilians and destabilize the situation in southern Ukraine.

<picture></picture>PHOTO: ssu.gov.ua

The detainee was notified that he is suspected of preparing a terrorist act. The court ordered him to be held in pretrial detention without the right to bail. Under the charged offense, the man faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

In early September, a court sentenced a Russian agent—who had been exposed by the SBU for arson in October 2024—to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property. According to the investigation, the man worked for Russian intelligence services and, acting on their instructions, set fire to a village council building in the Odesa region and an off-road vehicle belonging to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Анна Літман