The SSU Counterintelligence has prevented a high-profile terrorist attack in Odesa. An enemy agent who attempted to assassinate a high-ranking officer of the Ukrainian Navy was detained in the regional capital.

The arrest was made possible thanks to the Security Service’s round-the-clock pre-emptive work and a timely report from a concerned citizen who contacted the Service’s hotline to report a suspicious individual.

According to the plan devised by the russian intelligence, the officer’s assassination was to take place on May 9 to create a media narrative favourable to the kremlin for the celebration of ‘victory day’.

As the investigation established, the hitman planned to set up an ambush near the officer’s home and intended to shoot him with an automatic rifle.

The assailant was to open fire the moment the officer was behind the wheel of his car as he was leaving the driveway.

The SSU Counterintelligence and the SSU Alfa unit thwarted the assassination attempt and detained the hitman on May 8.

He turned out to be a repeat offender from Donetsk oblast recruited by the enemy; previously he had served a sentence for intentional murder.

The man came to russia’s attention while looking for ‘easy money’ on Telegram.

After the recruitment, he arrived in Odesa and rented an apartment to prepare for the assassination. First, the agent identified the serviceman’s residence, conducted reconnaissance of the surrounding area, and selected locations for an ambush.

The asset then received coordinates for stashes from his handler, from which he retrieved an AK-74 assault rifle and two loaded magazines.

To conceal the weapon while moving around the city, the hitman used a bag with a false bottom.

During the searches, an assault rifle with ammunition and a mobile phone, which he used to coordinate his actions with the russian intelligence, were seized from the detainee.

SSU investigators have notified him of his status as a suspect under two Articles of the CCU:

111.2 (high treason, committed under martial law);

15.3, 258 (attempted terrorist act).

The suspect is in custody and faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The Security Service of Ukraine urges citizens to remain vigilant. If you are approached with dubious offers, have seen suspicious objects or individuals, or have information about the activities of russian intelligence services, or about websites and social media pages they use for recruitment, please report this to the SSU:

• Chatbot Burn the FSB-man – t.me/spaly_fsb_bot
• Phone: 1516
• Email: callcenter@ssu.gov.ua