The counterintelligence unit of the Security Service of Ukraine has prevented a bloody terrorist attack against civilians in western Ukraine. As a result of preemptive actions, a Russian agent was detained in Rivne while preparing to detonate an explosive in one of the region’s most popular hotels.
According to case materials, the suspect, acting on orders from Russian intelligence operatives, planted an improvised explosive device (IED) in one of the hotel rooms.
To record the explosion on video, the woman installed a mini camera in the room with remote access for the Russian forces.
The Russian forces had planned to remotely activate the IED by calling a phone that was wired to the explosive device.
SSU counterintelligence officers caught the Russian agent red-handed as she was hastily leaving the hotel. The Security Service also successfully defused the IED.
The investigation established that the attempted terrorist act was being organized by a 49-year-old local resident who had been recruited by the Russians via a dating website.
After being recruited, the agent was given the coordinates of weapons caches, from which she retrieved the preassembled explosive device and a key to a hotel room that had been booked in advance under a fake identity.
At the same time, following the instructions of a Russian intelligence handler, the woman purchased additional materials from local markets to construct a second IED for future terrorist attacks.
During a search of her residence, investigators seized a phone containing evidence of her collaboration with the Russian forces, as well as components for a second explosive device.
The perpetrator is currently in custody. She faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
