Teenager arrested in Zhytomyr region for poisoning soldiers with methadone on FSB orders

Stopping a Russian special services courier

In Zhytomyr region, law enforcement officers arrested a 17-year-old girl who acted in the interests of the Russian FSB. Her task was to poison Ukrainian servicemen. This was reported by the National Police.

According to the investigation, the teenager received instructions from a Russian curator. She packaged narcotics and sent them by post, providing fictitious sender details in the documents. She was promised a payment of at least 5,000 hryvnia for completing these tasks.

Murder scheme and death of soldiers

The organisers of the scheme contacted soldiers via the Telegram messenger, offering free drugs. After receiving the parcels, recipients were instructed to consume the contents on camera. The soldiers did not suspect that the capsules contained a lethal dose of methadone.

«Від отруєння загинули двоє військових на Житомирщині. Розслідуючи ці вбивства, поліцейські встановили інших отримувачів посилок. Це дозволило запобігти ще чотирьом убивствам — у Кіровоградській, Запорізькій, Чернівецькій та Івано-Франківській областях» (Two soldiers died from poisoning in Zhytomyr region. While investigating these murders, police identified other recipients of the parcels. This allowed them to prevent four more murders — in Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Chernivtsi, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions), the official statement notes.

It is known that the two deceased soldiers were in a medical facility. The servicemen who were saved continue their service.

Criminal liability

The arrested woman has been notified of suspicion of aiding in the premeditated murder of two persons by prior conspiracy, as well as the postal sending of narcotic and psychotropic substances for sale. She faces a punishment of up to 15 years of imprisonment. Law enforcement officers continue to verify her involvement in other criminal offences.

Appeal from National Police leadership

Acting Head of the National Police Maksym Tstskiridze appealed to soldiers and their relatives to be vigilant.

«Людина, яка пропонує допомогу, надсилає подарунки чи наполегливо шукає особистої зустрічі, може виконувати завдання ворога. Будьте обережні з новими знайомствами» (A person who offers help, sends gifts, or persistently seeks a personal meeting may be carrying out an enemy task. Be careful with new acquaintances), he emphasised.

The official warning also includes a prohibition on accepting medicines, other preparations, as well as food or drinks of dubious origin from people you do not know well.

«Якщо вас схиляють щось ужити, тиснуть або погрожують - збережіть листування та повідомте поліцію за номером 102. Звертайтеся і тоді, коли така ситуація стосується вашого побратима: ця інформація може допомогти вчасно запобігти вбивству» (If you are pressured to consume something, pressured, or threatened — save the correspondence and report to the police at number 102. Also report when such a situation concerns your comrade: this information may help prevent a murder in time), Tstskiridze added.