The counterintelligence branch of the Security Service of Ukraine prevented a new series of terrorist attacks in Odessa. As a result of a special operation, a Russian agent who was manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for attacks in the port city was detained.
The investigation revealed that he was placing ready-made explosives in caches along the coastline and sending their coordinates to the FSB. The Russian forces then forwarded these geolocations to the direct perpetrators of the attacks, who retrieved the IEDs from the hiding places.
In July of this year, Ukrainian special services detained one of these female terrorists when she attempted to detonate an explosive at the regional Territorial Center in Odessa.
According to case materials, the detained agent making the explosives is a 60-year-old Odessa resident who previously worked as a merchant navy sailor and, after retiring, began working for the FSB.
It was established that he was recruited at the start of the full-scale war while visiting his sister in Russia. Following FSB instructions, he later returned to Odessa via third countries.
Upon arriving in Ukraine, the agent first carried out “test” tasks from his handler, reporting on the effects of Russian strikes in the city. He was then instructed by the Russian intelligence officer on how to manufacture IEDs and identify “priority” locations for hiding explosives.
Investigators found that he reinforced the devices with metal nuts and bolts and equipped them with mobile phones for remote detonation.
The Security Service documented the agent’s crimes and arrested him at his residence. Authorities seized his smartphone, which he used to communicate with the FSB.
The SSU investigators charged the agent under Part 3 of Article 15 and Part 2 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (completed attempt of a terrorist act).
The suspect is in custody and faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
