Trial of Saboteurs Linked to Russian Services in Odesa Railroad Attacks

A group of saboteurs who tried to disrupt the work of the Odesa Railroad for money were put on trial. They received the task from Russian special services.

According to the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office, the case against three members of an organized criminal group on the fact of organizing and carrying out arson attacks during martial law was brought to court.

Photo: Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office.

The investigation established that the defendants received tasks via messenger from a representative of the Russian special services. In exchange for a monetary reward, they carried out sabotage aimed at undermining the transport infrastructure. In August 2024, the saboteurs set fire to eight relay cabinets at railway stations and tracks in Odesa region using prepared incendiary mixtures.

They acted according to the typical scheme of Russian special services: first, they reconnoitered the objects, coordinated their actions with their supervisors, set the fire and filmed it as a confirmation of the task. For each successful act of sabotage, they received money, which they distributed among themselves.

All three defendants are currently in custody. The court will determine the punishment for the criminals who tried to destabilize the railroad in favor of the aggressor country.

To recap, SBU officers exposed and detained a saboteur of Russian military intelligence who was planning arson attacks on Ukrzaliznytsia facilities in Odesa region. Among the main targets of the enemy were transformer substations and relay cabinets on the main railroad lines in the region.

Earlier, the SBU and the National Police reported that they had prevented a series of terrorist attacks in Odesa by detaining two men working for the FSB in the city.

Meanwhile, members of an organized group that set fire to military vehicles will be tried in Kherson. They face up to 15 years in prison.

Ірина Глухова