Ukraine's Security Service (SSU) military counterintelligence, has thwarted a series of terrorist attacks planned by Russian intelligence services in the Kharkiv region. Following a multi-stage special operation, officers detained two FSB agents who were preparing to assassinate Ukrainian service members.
According to the investigation, both suspects were recruited remotely through Telegram channels advertising "easy money." After agreeing to cooperate with Russian intelligence, they initially carried out test assignments, including photographing selected facilities and setting fire to a Defense Forces vehicle.
Russian handlers later tasked the agents with attempting to kill Ukrainian service members during what appeared to be a charity party that had, in fact, been organized by Russian intelligence services.
According to the case materials, the suspects rented a house outside the city and advertised the themed event through several local Telegram channels to lure Ukrainian military personnel to the gathering.
The plan was for the agents to secretly add highly toxic substances to drinks during the event. Investigators said consuming the substances would have been fatal.
Authorities said several dozen people agreed to attend the party, the majority of them members of Ukraine's Defense Forces.
At the same time, the suspects received instructions from their handler to assemble a powerful bomb containing a 10-kilogram explosive charge.
SSU military counterintelligence officers intervened before the attack, detaining one of the suspects while he was carrying the improvised explosive device in his backpack. The second suspect, a woman from the Kharkiv region, was arrested at the rented house where she was synthesizing components for the bomb.
Searches uncovered bomb components as well as mobile phones containing evidence of cooperation with Russian intelligence, including instructions from their handler concerning other reconnaissance and sabotage missions.
The suspects have been charged under Ukraine's Criminal Code with preparing a terrorist act and with the illegal handling of weapons, ammunition, or explosives.
Both have been placed in pretrial detention without the possibility of bail and face life imprisonment if convicted.
