Counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine has detained a Russian agent who was preparing terrorist attacks in the Poltava region. According to the investigation, the 30-year-old woman, who was looking for “easy money” in an online casino, came to the attention of Russian special services and was recruited to carry out sabotage tasks.
According to the SBU, the agent planned to carry out explosions near the local police department and the city's territorial recruitment center (military enlistment office). The terrorist act was to take place during rush hour, and the improvised explosive device (IED) was to be disguised as a household kettle, supplemented with striking elements and an electronic remote detonation module.
"At the time of the bombing, the occupiers were planning to detonate the explosives together with their agent," the regional SBU department reported.
The attacker had already received instructions from a curator in the Russian Federation, as well as funds to rent a “secret” apartment and purchase materials for the SVP. However, thanks to the operational actions of the special services, the terrorist attack was prevented.
During the searches, components of an explosive device and a mobile phone with evidence of contacts with a representative of the Russian special services were seized from the suspect.
As reported by the regional prosecutor's office, the woman was suspected under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: preparation for a terrorist act by prior conspiracy by a group of persons and illegal storage of explosives (Part 2 of Article 28, Part 1 of Article 14, Part 2 of Article 258, Part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The investigation is ongoing. Special services emphasize the growing activity of Russian recruitment campaigns on social networks, messengers, and online casinos, which are used as platforms for the selection of vulnerable individuals.
