The counterintelligence unit of the Security Service of Ukraine has exposed two more agents of Russia’s military intelligence (better known as the GRU) in Odessa. Acting on orders from the Russian forces, the suspects were preparing attacks on Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel stationed in the region using so‑called “drops” from a civilian quadcopter.
The SSU acted preemptively and detained the agents on the eve of the planned drone launch, when they already had a ready-made explosive payload and a target approved by their Russian handler — one of the locations of a local Defense Forces unit.
The investigation established that one of the suspects is a 49-year-old local entrepreneur who was recruited by the Russians through a Telegram channel advertising “easy money.”
According to case materials, he first received a quadcopter from the Russians and later retrieved 2 kilograms of plastic explosives and components for an improvised explosive device from a cache, which he then used to arm the drone.
He subsequently involved a 47-year-old acquaintance who helped reconnoiter areas with the highest concentration of Ukrainian troops. The identified “locations” were marked on Google Maps and reported to the handler in Russia.
After the target was approved by a Russian intelligence officer, the suspects began preparing the aerial strike.
At this stage, they were detained by SSU counterintelligence officers.
During searches, law enforcement seized an explosives-laden quadcopter, as well as a Kalashnikov assault rifle, two Makarov pistols with ammunition, an F-1 combat grenade, and other weapons.
The suspects are being held in custody without the right to bail and face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The investigation is ongoing to establish all circumstances of the crime, including the channels used to acquire firearms and ammunition.
