Ukraine's Security Service arrests Russian agent who plans to cut power to Kharkiv
Photo: Ukraine's Security Service detained a Russian saboteur (facebook.com/ssu_mariupol)
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) counterintelligence has prevented a series of Russian sabotage attacks in Kharkiv by detaining a Russian FSB agent who was preparing to blow up key power substations supplying the city, the SBU press service reports.
According to the statement, the Russian order was being carried out by a children's entertainer from the regional center, who had been recruited by the Russian intelligence service. He came to the enemy's attention through an acquaintance living in Russia.
After being remotely recruited, the agent received an assignment from his handler: to blow up a major power substation that supplies electricity to one of the city’s districts.
To commit the act of sabotage, the suspect received instructions on how to assemble an improvised explosive device. Ukraine's Security Service operatives arrested the agent while he was making the explosive in his home.
The SBU also established that the suspect had been recording the locations of Ukraine's Defense Forces while traveling to children's events. If the first substation attack had been successful, he was to carry out similar sabotage attacks on other energy infrastructure across the city.
During searches of the suspect's home and car, authorities seized components for an explosive device, as well as a tablet and phone containing evidence of his collaboration with the enemy.
SBU investigators have officially notified him of the charges, and he is currently in custody. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
RBC-Ukraine previously reported that the SBU exposed a 48-year-old lab technician at a Kharkiv university who was preparing terrorist attacks in the city.
The Security Service of Ukraine also served charges to a captured Russian assault trooper involved in the execution of a Ukrainian defender.
The enemy soldier was taken prisoner during the fighting near Vovchansk, the Kharkiv region.
In addition, in Zaporizhzhia, two enemy agents were preparing to bomb soldiers from the 12th Azov Special Purpose Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine. Using a camera, Russian intelligence services planned to track the soldiers approaching their vehicle in order to detonate an improvised explosive device.
