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SSU prevents double terrorist attack in downtown Ivano-Frankivsk

The SSU Counterintelligence has foiled a terrorist attack by russian intelligence services in Ivano-Frankivsk. Proactive steps prevented a double explosion in a city-center residential courtyard.

According to the SSU Counterintelligence, the first explosion was to be triggered remotely using an IED in the parking lot. The second blast was planned to target emergency services as they arrived at the scene.

Investigators established that the attack was planned by an unemployed local recruited by russian intelligence while searching for 'easy money' on Telegram channels.

After receiving instructions, the suspect rented an apartment overlooking the target site. He then secretly placed a phone connected to a power bank in the courtyard so his handlers in russia could monitor the future bombing location.

He then purchased components for IEDs.

It was documented how the russian intelligence services instructed the agent to disguise the IEDs as kitchen pots. He was directed to fill each container with 6 kg of explosives, attach detonators, and pack them with hundreds of metal bolts to maximize casualties.

Following his handlers' instructions, the suspect was to place the first IED among civilian cars in a parking lot.

After the initial blast, once local residents, police, paramedics, and firefighters arrived at the scene, ruscists planned to remotely detonate the second shrapnel-filled bomb hidden nearby.

The SSU Counterintelligence not only prevented the terrorist attack, but also documented the full process of its preparation and identified the russian intelligence officers involved in planning the crime.

The operations were carried out by SSU officers in Ivano-Frankivsk region in cooperation with the National Police and the regional prosecutor’s office.

The Security Service of Ukraine urges citizens to remain vigilant. If you receive suspicious offers, notice suspicious items or individuals, or have information about russian intelligence service activities, including online pages and social media accounts used for recruitment, please report it to the SSU: