Ukraine’s Security Service Prevents FSB-Backed Assassinations and Terror Attacks in Kyiv

The Security Service of Ukraine has thwarted new attempts by the FSB to carry out targeted killings of well-known Ukrainians and a series of terrorist acts in Kyiv’s shopping and entertainment centers and at a metro station, according to law enforcement officials. Based on available investigative data, thanks to preventive actions they managed to derail the enemy’s plans and identify the organizer of the contract killings.

He turned out to be a resident of the temporarily occupied Crimea who, after the peninsula’s annexation, established cooperation with the Russian security service.

The investigation showed that the subject sought like-minded individuals to recruit into the FSB’s intelligence apparatus, among whom were local Ukrainian citizens whose youth limited their mobilization prospects.

The SBU documented an attempt to smuggle to Kyiv a recruited resident of the peninsula who had crossed the border through third countries; upon arrival, the agent received the coordinates of the stash and instructions to take a Makarov pistol with a loaded magazine.

It was established that from this weapon the FSB tasked the agent to carry out in Kyiv a contract killing of a media figure and to prepare attacks in several central Kyiv shopping centers and at a metro station. For this the agent received instructions for making improvised explosive devices to be hidden in backpacks and remotely activated at rush hour.

Criminal qualification and prospects for the investigation

Criminal proceedings have been opened under Part 2 of Article 111 (“treason in a state of martial law”); Part 2 of Article 258 (“terrorist act”); Part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (“illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosive substances”).

As the subject is located on the temporarily occupied territory, measures are underway to bring him to justice and to investigate all participants in the FSB’s agent network.

According to the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office, a 55-year-old defendant, agreeing to cooperate with the Russians through acquaintances, was seeking Ukrainian servicemen to transfer technical documentation and components of the American HIMARS rocket artillery system for money. He also obtained simulated documentation during interactions with one of the military units under Ukrainian control.

Moreover, the offender sought perpetrators to carry out terrorist acts to intimidate Ukrainian citizens: he promised $20,000 and indicated where to obtain a Makarov pistol. The attempts targeted two people – a journalist from Kherson and a press officer of one of the Ukrainian Army brigades; during the first attempt the assailant used a pistol, and during the second – a knife, but the actual execution of the order was controlled by Ukrainian security forces.

Earlier it was reported that the SBU detained a Russian agent who was spying on the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ combat aviation.

The investigation continues, and law enforcement agencies continue working with all participants in the FSB’s agent network to prevent new provocations and ensure accountability for those responsible.