SBU counterintelligence detains five criminals who set fire to vehicles of military personnel and volunteers

Detention of five criminals on the territory of Ukraine

The Security Service of Ukraine, jointly with the National Police, announced the detention of five more individuals who acted in the interests of the enemy. These citizens were responsible for arson attacks on vehicles belonging to the Defence Forces of Ukraine and volunteer organisations. The relevant information was released by the SBU press centre.

Recruitment scheme via a "honey trap" in Kyiv Oblast

In Kyiv Oblast, counterintelligence officers identified a postal worker from Bila Tserkva. The man was recruited to cooperate with Russian special services using a so-called "honey trap". To this end, the criminals created a fake female account on a dating site, where she persuaded the victim to carry out assignments for the Russian Federation.

After the agent was recruited, he purchased a lighter and two rags. Subsequently, acting on a video instruction from his handler in Russia, he set fire to a truck belonging to a local entrepreneur engaged in volunteer activities. Law enforcement officers managed to detain the criminal within 24 hours of the crime being committed.

Arson attacks in Lviv and Zaporizhzhia

In Lviv, an unemployed resident of Bukovyna was detained. According to the investigation, the man came to the attention of Russian special services through Telegram channels, where he was looking for opportunities for "easy" earnings while staying in the city. He was ordered to burn two military vehicles.

The criminal coordinated targets with his handler, bought petrol at a gas station, and then set fire to the vehicles. He filmed the moment of ignition on his mobile phone for a subsequent "report". SBU officers detained him "red-handed" immediately after the completion of the task.

In Zaporizhzhia, a local unemployed man was detained, who had also been recruited by Russian special services. This agent set fire to a truck in Kyiv. To commit the offence, he purchased 5 litres of fuel at a gas station and set fire to a vehicle parked on the roadside.

Exposure of agents in Ternopil

In Ternopil, counterintelligence exposed a student whom the enemy had recruited by posing as a representative of law enforcement agencies. He was ordered to destroy two cargo vans by fire. The detention took place "red-handed": the man was heading to the location of the planned arson during a video call with his handler from the Russian Federation.

Using a similar scheme, Russian special services recruited a resident of Kremenets Raion. He was ordered to set fire to the main entrance of a branch of one of the commercial banks in Ternopil.

Seizure of evidence and criminal liability

During searches of the detained individuals, mobile phones containing evidence of their work for the enemy were seized, as well as tools used to commit the crimes and clothing worn during the arson attacks.

The detainees were charged under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, including:

• intentional destruction or damage to property by arson;
• obstruction of the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations during a special period.

The criminals face punishment in the form of imprisonment for up to 10 years. Investigators are also considering the possibility of additional qualification of their actions as high treason committed under martial law.