The SSU Counterintelligence has thwarted a new attempt by ruscists to carry out a large-scale sabotage operation in Kropyvnytskyi. As a result of preemptive actions, an agent of russia’s federal security service has been detained while preparing to blow up a key power substation in the city.

The SSU apprehended the perpetrator red-handed as he was retrieving an improvised explosive device from a hiding place at the entrance to the city during curfew.

The bomb was equipped with 300 grams of plastic explosive and a mobile phone for remote detonation.

The investigation established that the agent intended to transport the IED by taxi to the site of the planned sabotage and plant it near the transformers of the main power substation to detonate it.

In this way, russia planned to destroy a key power node that supplies most of Kropyvnytskyi’s strategic and social facilities.

The FSB’s task was carried out by a local unemployed man recruited by the enemy. He was spotted by the enemy while searching for ‘easy money’ on Telegram channels.

Attracted by the promise of ‘quick payments’, the asset received from the russians the coordinates of a cache containing an IED and the location of the planned sabotage.

Explosives and a smartphone containing evidence of his work for the aggressor state were seized from the suspect the during the search.

SSU investigators have notified the detainee of suspicion under Article 111.2 of the CCU (high treason, committed under martial law).

The decision is pending regarding charging him with an additional offence of preparing sabotage.

The suspect is in custody without bail and faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Kirovohrad region under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.