Ukraine’s Security Service counterintelligence prevented another terrorist attack in Mykolaiv. As part of a proactive operation, an agent of the Russian Federation was detained while preparing to assassinate a Ukrainian Defense Forces serviceman using a homemade explosive device.
SSU officers detained the suspect “red-handed” as he was planting explosives under the vehicle of a Ukrainian soldier.
The investigation found that the attack was being carried out on behalf of Russian intelligence by a mobilized serviceman from the Bashtanka district of Mykolaiv region, who had been recruited by the Russian forces. He came to the attention of Russian special services after he went absent without leave from his military unit and began searching for “easy money” through Telegram channels.
After receiving instructions from his handlers, the suspect conducted reconnaissance near the vehicle of the intended target and reported to his Russian coordinator that he was ready to carry out the attack.
The agent then received the coordinates of a weapons cache from a Russian intelligence operative, retrieved a homemade explosive device (IED), and attempted to secretly place it under the Ukrainian defender’s vehicle.
During the investigation, it was also established that the deserter had received another assignment from the Russian forcess — to register Starlink satellite terminals on behalf of Russian operatives.
According to investigators, the suspect initially registered an internet communication device in his own name and provided the relevant account details to his Russian handler.
Later, he attempted to involve his wife and ten people with drug addictions in the illegal registration of Starlink terminals. They agreed to provide their passport details in exchange for promises of money “for a dose.”
If the Russian forces had gained access to the satellite terminals, they planned to use them to coordinate missile, bomb, artillery, and drone attacks on the southern front.
During searches, investigators seized the suspect’s smartphone, which he used to coordinate his actions with a representative of the aggressor state. The illegally registered Starlink terminal was blocked.
The suspect remains in custody without the right to bail. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
