Odesa Terrorist Attack Foiled: Young Man Detained After Explosion

The SBU and police detained a man who had prepared a terrorist attack in Odesa on February 20 this year in hot pursuit.

According to the SBU, the young man blew up the car of the prosecutor of the Specialized Defense Prosecutor's Office of the Southern Region in the parking lot of a government agency. A passerby was injured in the explosion.

According to the investigation, in early February, a resident of Odesa received a proposal in Telegram to prepare an explosion in the city. The organizer determined the place, time and object of the attack, and the suspect was promised $3,000 for completing the task.

Having made an explosive device, the suspect planted it in the parking lot opposite the administrative building, installed a smartphone nearby to record the explosion, and left the scene. On the same day, the device was remotely activated, injuring a passerby, damaging cars and the facade of the building.

According to the police, it has been preliminarily established that the 18-year-old man was recruited by Russian special services through one of the messengers. Following the curator's instructions, he rented an apartment, purchased the necessary components, and made an explosive device with his own hands, which he planted in a public place. The choice of the place, time and target for the explosion was made by the customer, who also financed the crime. The performer was to receive a monetary reward for completing the task.

During an authorized search in the rented apartment, law enforcement officers found components for the manufacture of explosives, as well as other material evidence relevant to the investigation.

The offender was detained in accordance with Art. 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. He was served a notice of suspicion under Part 2 of Art. 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - committing a terrorist act, namely an explosion that threatened human life and health, caused significant material damage and had grave consequences, committed by a group of persons with the aim of destabilizing public security.

This crime is punishable by imprisonment for up to 12 years with or without confiscation of property.

Also in Odesa, two men suspected of setting fire to a car were detained. The incident occurred a few days ago at around 22:00 on Mykolaivska Road. The victim's neighbors noticed the fire and called firefighters, who promptly extinguished the fire. No one was injured in the fire.

In addition, a group of saboteurs who tried to disrupt the work of the Odesa Railways for money were put on trial. They received the task from the Russian special services.

Ірина Глухова