The Military Counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine prevented a series of Russian sabotage attacks in Kharkiv. As a result of preemptive actions, an FSB agent preparing to blow up key electrical substations supplying the city was detained.
The investigation revealed that the operation ordered by Russia was carried out by a children’s entertainer from the regional center, who was recruited by Russian intelligence. He came to the occupiers’ attention through his acquaintance living in Russia.
After remote recruitment, the agent received instructions from his handler to blow up a main electrical substation providing power to one of the districts of the frontline city.
To commit the crime, the suspect was given instructions by a Russian intelligence officer on how to make a homemade explosive device (IED) at home.
SSU officers detained the agent while he was preparing explosives in his apartment.
During documentation of his crimes, the SBU also found that the suspect was photographing the locations of the Ukrainian Defense Forces on his way to children’s events.
This was a “test” task for the agent, used by his handler to check his readiness for more complex assignments.
According to case materials, if the first substation bombing had succeeded, the agent was to carry out similar sabotage attacks on other energy facilities in the city.
During searches of the suspect’s apartment and car, components for the homemade explosive device, pro-Kremlin symbols—including a Ukrainian passport in a cover with the Russian tricolor—as well as a tablet and phone containing evidence of work for the enemy were seized.
The offender is in custody. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
