Counterintelligence detained two men who were recruited by the FSB and who planned to blow up service vehicles of Kherson police officers.
This was reported on the website of the Security Service of Ukraine.
According to the investigation, on orders from Russian special services the suspects were to place explosives under several National Police cars and detonate them at a time when law enforcement officers were inside. In case of success the FSB promised to arrange their escape to Russia.
Both detainees are local unemployed men. Russian handlers contacted them through pro-Russian Telegram channels. After recruitment the men rented an apartment near the police building and set up a covert observation post there.
On the balcony they installed a camera that filmed the unit’s territory. Through it the agents monitored the police work schedule and the movement of service vehicles.
The suspects planned to make the explosives themselves from parts that the FSB was to deliver by drones from the temporarily occupied left-bank of the Kherson region. After that they intended to remotely detonate the vehicles.
The SBU uncovered the plan at the preparation stage. The agents were detained in the rented apartment. During searches law enforcement seized video cameras, laptops, and phones with evidence of cooperation with Russian special services.
The investigation also established that the detainees collected information about the locations of the Defense Forces in Kherson and tried to recruit new people to work for Russia.
The men have already been charged with treason committed by prior conspiracy under martial law. They are in custody and may receive life imprisonment with confiscation of property.