On February 2, a security-threatening event occurred in Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast — an explosion near the building of the territorial recruitment center. An improvised explosive device detonated by attackers near the military registration and enlistment office injured a 24-year-old serviceman. However, thanks to the prompt work of the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police, the terrorist act was solved in less than 24 hours, and all those involved in the crime were detained.
The intention of the Russian special services was to use this terrorist attack to cause panic among the local population, undermine confidence in the defense forces, and complicate mobilization measures in the region. The attackers, who were led by Russian agents, aimed to destabilize the situation in Ukraine, in particular in the Dnipropetrovsk region, where active mobilization measures are underway.
A system that allows Russian intelligence agencies to recruit through popular Telegram channels allowed criminals to find “easy” work for three men aged 21 and 22. One of them, a resident of Pavlohrad, was instructed to make an explosive device and hide it near his home. Two other participants, residents of the Odessa region, came to Pavlohrad, took the explosive device, planted it near the Central Trade Center, and installed a hidden camera to record the results of the explosion. After that, the occupiers remotely activated the device using a call to a mobile phone.
However, the SBU, together with the National Police, quickly began investigative actions. In less than a day, law enforcement officers identified all those involved in this crime. The perpetrators were detained in the Dnipropetrovsk and Odessa regions, where they were hiding in anticipation of a reward from their Russian handlers. Instead of the promised money, they received suspicion of a terrorist act, which entails up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The special operation, conducted by the SBU officers with the support of the National Police, is a vivid example of how the operational services of Ukraine are able to quickly neutralize threats, even when it comes to preparing terrorist acts aimed at destabilizing the situation in the country. The detained saboteurs, who were counting on financial rewards from Russian curators, realized that Ukrainian security forces do not leave terrorist intentions without consequences.
