The SBU detained an agent-combat group of the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate that was preparing a series of terrorist attacks in the Ukrainian capital. According to the Russians, four terrorist attacks were to take place in Kyiv on 9 May.
During a multi-stage special operation, law enforcement officers detained Russian agents in Kyiv who were installing explosive devices in construction hypermarkets of a well-known chain and near a cafe. This was reported by the SBU.
"According to the available data, the improvised explosive devices were disguised in tea bags. They consisted of a timer, a detonator and plastic explosives with an incendiary mixture that was supposed to cause large-scale fires," the statement said.
The explosives were supposed to detonate during peak hours of hypermarket traffic in order to cause maximum damage to people. In addition, they planned to place them among flammable materials so that such a fire could not be quickly extinguished.
Another terrorist attack was to take place near a popular Kyiv cafe. Russian agents wanted to plant the explosives in a car parked nearby.
"In this way, the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (better known as the GRU) wanted to destabilise the situation in Ukraine, as well as send a signal on the symbolic day of 9 May about the alleged presence of the Russian underground in Kyiv, which is waiting for the arrival of the 'Russian world'," the SBU added.
Commenting on the preparations for the terrorist attacks, SBU Head Vasyl Malyuk said that Russian special services had once again demonstrated their criminal nature.
"We were proactive and disrupted the enemy's plans in time. Every step of the criminals has been documented - they will be punished as they deserve. As well as anyone who tries to work in favour of Russia. It is symbolic that the dates to which the Russians want to dedicate their terrorist attacks are gradually becoming a symbol of the failure of their special services," said SBU Head Vasyl Malyuk.
Counter-intelligence established that the terrorist attacks were supervised by GRU officer Yuriy Syzov, who serves in military unit 92154.
"He personally gave instructions to the recruited agents and even recorded a video instruction on how to install an explosive device in one of the stores of the same chain in Moscow region," the SBU said.
The SBU had been monitoring his activities for a long time and documented the criminal actions of the agent step by step.
Yuriy Syzov was also responsible for the sabotage that was to take place in Lviv Region in February 2024. The SBU also played a proactive role in preventing the explosions.
"Now the SBU has identified the entire chain of this network, including agent and combat groups, smugglers who delivered explosives from the territory of Russia, as well as the direct perpetrators of the terrorist attack: they were detained red-handed when they were installing explosive devices in the third hypermarket," the SBU added.
The detainees have been served notices of suspicion in connection with their crimes, in particular under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- Art. 111 (high treason)
- Art. 113 (sabotage)
- Art. 258 (terrorist act).
They face life imprisonment. The operation was conducted under the supervision of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor's Office.