Russian intelligence assets tried to orchestrate a string of terrorist attacks in Kyiv before Victory Day. Their plans involved planting explosive devices in construction hypermarkets belonging to a well-known chain and near a cafe. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May – ed.].
Source: Security Service of Ukraine (SSU); Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO)
Details: The investigation found that the suspects, acting on the instructions of a representative of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (GRU), were tasked with planting explosive devices in three shopping centres and a car parked near a popular Kyiv cafe. Afterwards, they were supposed to set them off.
The special operation to detain the suspects was conducted in the car parking lot of the last of the shopping centres where the Russian agents planned to plant the explosives.
They have been imposed with pre-trial restrictions, particularly remand in custody without the right to be released on bail.
It is stated that all 15 explosive devices disguised as food had been timely detected and defused by law enforcement officers.
SSU Counterintelligence reported that the Russian terrorist attacks were masterminded by Yuri Syzov, a Russian intelligence officer serving in military unit No. 92154.
Syzov personally instructed the recruited assets and even recorded a video instruction on how to plant an explosive device, filming it in one of the stores of the same chain in Moscow Oblast, the SSU added.
It is noted that Syzov was also responsible for another sabotage operation in Ukraine, which was to take place in Lviv Oblast in February 2024. At that time, the SSU had also been proactive and prevented the explosions.
In addition, the SSU released a video containing details of the special operation.
Background: On 11 May, SSU spokesperson Artem Dekhtiarenko briefly reported that the SSU had detained Russian intelligence assets planning terrorist attacks in Kyiv on 9 May. More details were promised later.
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