The SBU detained a Russian agent from Kherson who was planning to kill a soldier

In Mykolaiv, a court ordered a Kherson native to be held in custody on suspicion of treason, illegal possession of weapons, and plotting the contract killing of a National Guard servicemember.

The Central District Court of Mykolaiv issued the corresponding ruling.

According to the case file, no later than July 12, the man began communicating via Telegram with representatives of Russian special services. Following orders from the so-called “operator,” he was to conduct reconnaissance of facilities and individuals, photograph them, search for weapons caches, and gather information on military personnel and other officials for their possible future physical elimination.

As the investigation established, on July 12, the suspect arrived at a designated location near the Central Stadium in Mykolaiv, where he found a cache. Inside was a bag containing a 7.65 mm VZOR 70 pistol, two magazines, ammunition, and a silencer. Afterward, the man took public transportation to Varvarivka, where, according to the investigation, he disassembled and reassembled the weapon and tested its functionality.

A few days later, he traveled to Odesa, where, as noted in the court ruling, he met with unidentified individuals and gathered intelligence on behalf of a Russian “handler.” On July 23, the man traveled from Odesa to Kyiv, where he rented an apartment.

On July 27, according to the investigation, he discovered another cache near the Kyiv Reservoir. It contained an object resembling a PM pistol with a silencer, a magazine, and ammunition. Afterward, the suspect reported the completion of the task to his handler.

The most serious aspect of the case is the preparation for the murder of a National Guard servicemember.

According to the investigation, on July 31, the man received a motorcycle that had been left for him in a wooded area near the village of Novosilky in the Kyiv region. He was instructed to spend the night there and, on the morning of August 1, kill a National Guard soldier while the soldier was walking his dog.

However, he was unable to carry out the plan—he was detained by SBU officers. According to the court, the detention took place on July 31, and on August 1, the man was notified of the charges against him.

The court noted that the validity of the charges is confirmed, in particular, by the results of searches, the seizure of weapons, cell phones, and other equipment, as well as the suspect’s correspondence with a representative of the Russian special services.

During the court hearing, the man partially admitted his guilt. The defense requested that he be placed under house arrest or that bail be set. The court did not grant these requests.

The suspect was remanded in custody for 60 days—until September 28, 2026—without bail being set.

At the same time, the man’s final guilt must be determined by the court. At this stage, the proceedings concern only the allegations and circumstances presented by the prosecution.

Андрій Колісніченко