Foreign hitman detained in Odesa over alleged plot to kill Ukrainian naval official
Foreign hitman attempted to kill senior naval official in Odesa (photo: facebook.com/ssu)
A contract killing of a senior official of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was prevented in Odesa. A foreign hitman acting on orders from Russia was detained during the attempted attack on the officer, the Security Service of Ukraine reports.
Details of the attempted attack
The investigation established that on the day of the attack, the hitman, armed with a pistol and two loaded magazines, took position near the exit of a residential complex where the Ukrainian serviceman lives.
To avoid suspicion, he pretended to repair a bicycle and, wearing a balaclava (face-covering mask), waited for the officer's car to appear.
When the car approached the exit, the attacker threw the bicycle under the wheels and tried to open fire at the driver. At that moment, he was detained by counterintelligence officers and special forces of the Security Service of Ukraine (state security agency), who had been documenting his actions for a long time.
What is known about the hitman
According to the investigation, the attacker was a 37-year-old citizen of one of the Balkan countries, recruited by Russian special services.
In February 2026, he arrived in Kyiv under the guise of a tourist and later traveled to Odesa to carry out the task.
After arrival, the agent received coordinates of a cache (hidden storage), where a pistol with a silencer and ammunition were kept. He then monitored the movements of the potential target and coordinated the location of the attack with a handler from Russia.
For cover, the suspect regularly changed rented apartments and hotels.
Russian agent detained in the act in Odesa (photo: t.me/SBUkr)
Russian agent detained in the act in Odesa (photo: t.me/SBUkr)
Russian agent detained in the act in Odesa (photo: t.me/SBUkr)
Russian agent detained in the act in Odesa (photo: t.me/SBUkr)
Russian agent detained in the act in Odesa (photo: t.me/SBUkr)
What he faces
Investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine informed the detainee of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 15 and Part 2 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (completed attempt to commit a terrorist act).
He is currently in custody. He faces up to 12 years in prison.
Attempts on Ukrainian public figures
Yesterday, it was reported that the Security Service prevented a series of contract killings in Odesa. In particular, an attack was planned on the head of one of the district territorial recruitment centers (military enlistment office).
Also in the capital, special services detained an agent of the Federal Security Service of Russia (Russian security agency), who was preparing an attack on a Ukrainian official. The suspect faces life imprisonment.
In addition, counterintelligence officers exposed an extensive espionage network of Russian military intelligence. Its members were preparing targeted killings of commanders of the Defense Forces and well-known public figures.
