Young people in Odesa are responsible for working for Russian special services

In Odesa, a court handed down a verdict in a case of sabotage on the railroad involving three young people, including a minor girl. The defendants carried out tasks received via a messenger and set fire to critical infrastructure facilities for a monetary reward.

This is evidenced by the verdict of the Peresypskyi District Court of Odesa.

Odesa court has sentenced three defendants in a case of sabotage at railway infrastructure facilities. The case concerns arson attacks on relay and battery cabinets of traffic lights, which are essential for the functioning of the railroad and the state's defense system.

The court found that in the summer of 2024, two boys and a minor girl, in a difficult financial situation, were looking for part-time work on the Telegram messenger. There, they received offers from individuals who, according to the investigation, were affiliated with the intelligence agencies of the Russian Federation. Initially, the young people were offered simple tasks such as taking pictures of administrative buildings and applying graffiti with provocative inscriptions.

Later, the "employers" moved on to more serious tasks, such as arson attacks on railway facilities. The defendants received clear instructions: to buy flammable substances, choose specific locations, and be sure to record the arson process on video using a special application with time and coordinates.

The first arson took place on July 24, 2024, at Odesa-Skhidna station. One of the participants set fire to a relay cabinet, while the girl filmed it on her phone. They received a reward for the task - more than 10 thousand hryvnias, which they divided among themselves.

A few days later, the group committed another arson attack, this time damaging two traffic light cabinets at once. All the actions were carried out by prior conspiracy and with the knowledge of the consequences, including damage to the economic and defense security of Ukraine.

In court, the defendants pleaded guilty, explaining their actions by the desire to make quick money. They expressed sincere remorse and confirmed the circumstances outlined by the investigation. The court took into account the fact that all three had not been prosecuted before, as well as their age, social conditions and cooperation with the investigation.

According to the results of the trial:

• the minor defendant was sentenced to 5 years in prison, but was released from serving the sentence with a probationary period of 2 years;
• two other participants were sentenced to 4 years in prison with confiscation of property;
• they were also charged with procedural costs.

Separately, the court considered a civil claim for damages filed by Ukrzaliznytsia. Although the damage was estimated at an insignificant amount, the defendants compensated it voluntarily before the trial was completed.

Also, one burned car in the center of Odesa led law enforcement to a serial arsonist who was preparing a sabotage in the SEC building. While the customer remains in the shadows of social media, the perpetrator is counting his days in jail.

Анна Бальчінос