Counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine prevented another terrorist attack in Kharkiv. As a result of preemptive actions, two Russian agents were detained, who were preparing a bombing in the city center.
According to case materials, the suspects made an improvised bomb, which they planned to place in central Kharkiv and detonate remotely during the largest gathering of people.
If the bloody attack had been carried out, the Russians hoped to provoke panic in Kharkiv to destabilize the socio-political situation in the frontline city.
SSU officers uncovered the hostile intentions in advance and detained the agents in the regional center while they were preparing the bomb in a rented apartment.
The investigation established that the terrorist plot was organized by a local married couple with drug addiction, who came to the attention of the Russians while looking for “money for a dose” on Telegram channels.
After recruitment, the suspects received instructions from their Russian handler on how to make an improvised explosive device (IED) from available materials.
At the next stage, the agents selected the target for the planned attack and “coordinated” it with the Russians.
During searches, law enforcement seized a ready-made IED, remnants of explosive components, mobile phones for remote detonation, and a smartphone containing evidence of contacts with the Russian intelligence officer.
The offenders are in custody. They face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
