Counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) prevented new attempts by Russian forces to carry out terrorist attacks in Dnipro. As a result of preemptive actions, an 18-year-old student was detained in the city for manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on behalf of Russia for a series of bombings.
It was established that the student, from a local vocational school, had been seeking ‘easy earnings’ on Telegram channels, where he came to the attention of Russian intelligence operatives.
After being recruited remotely, the agent moved into a rented apartment and set up an underground laboratory to produce explosives.
According to the case materials, the student received money from the Rusian forces to cover the move and purchase components for the IEDs.
The agent’s task was to manufacture explosives disguised as a fire extinguisher and equip them for remote detonation using a mobile phone.
He also planned to receive coordinates from the Russian forces where he was to place the finished IED for the terrorist attack.
SSU officers detected the agent in advance, documented his crimes, and detained him in the temporary residence while he was completing the first explosive device.
During the search, components for the bomb and the smartphone he used to communicate with his Russian handler were seized.
SSU investigators charged the agent under Part 1 of Article 14 and Part 2 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (preparation for a terrorist act).
The suspect is in custody without the right to bail. He faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
