Russian Agent Foiled in Kharkiv Train Sabotage Plot

Suspected 54-year-old mechanic.
Vladyslav Abdula/Facebook

A 54-year-old mechanic was recruited by Russian security services, who noticed his anti-Ukrainian comments on Telegram. On Russia’s orders, the man was to derail a Ukrainian Armed Forces freight train near Kharkiv. This information was confirmed by the spokesperson for the SBU’s Kharkiv region, Vladyslav Abdula.

“On Russia’s orders, the man was to derail a Ukrainian Armed Forces freight train near Kharkiv.”

Chronology of SBU recruitment and operations

According to investigators, the defendant initially laid under the sleepers a homemade explosive device with a sensor, which was to become the first link in the sabotage, but the blast did not cause the train to derail.

The next step was to place a second homemade device under a military train. The security services carried out rapid operations, successfully foiling the enemy’s plans: preventing a second explosion and arresting the agent at the sabotage-preparation stage.

After recruitment, the Russians gave the agent instructions for making the explosive and provided the necessary components – sensors and eight kilograms of plastic explosive. To move the materials, the occupiers used a drone that dropped the explosives at a preselected location in the Kharkiv district.

Charges and potential consequences

SBU investigators informed the mechanic of suspicion under three articles of the criminal code: sabotage committed under martial law; preparation to commit sabotage under martial law; illegal handling of explosive substances. The suspect faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property. He is in custody without bail.

Additional investigative materials and SBU operational actions continue to clarify all the circumstances of the case, and investigations are ongoing within the framework of applicable procedures.