Military counterintelligence of the SBU prevented Russian sabotage in Kharkiv. As a result of preventive actions, there was detained an FSB agent who planned to blow up key electrical substations that power the city.
According to the investigation materials, the tasks of the Russian special services were carried out by a children’s animator from Kharkiv, who was recruited through an acquaintance living in Russia. After being recruited, he received instructions from the curator on the preparation of sabotage – the blowing up of an electrical substation that supplies one of the districts of the front-line city.
The agent was given instructions on making an improvised explosive device in domestic conditions. SBU operatives detained him while assembling explosives in the apartment. During the investigation, it was established that the suspect also fixed the positions of the Defense Forces while going to performances as an animator. This was the first “test” task, after which the curator had to determine his readiness for more complex sabotage.
According to the plan, in case of successful detonation of the first object, the man was to attack other energy targets of the city. During the search of his apartment and car, explosives components, pro-Russian symbols, in particular a passport of Ukraine with a cover with the colors of the flag of the Russian Federation, as well as a tablet and a phone with evidence of cooperation with the FSB were seized.
SBU investigators informed the detainee of suspicion under Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — treason under martial law. The man was taken into custody. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property. The measures were carried out by investigators of the SBU of the Kharkiv region under the procedural guidance of the regional prosecutor’s office.
