Based on evidence collected by the Security Service of Ukraine, two agents of russian military intelligence (‘the GRU’), detained by the SSU in September 2024 in Zaporizhzhia, have been sentenced to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The investigation established that the perpetrators were preparing to carry out an explosion in a crowded place in Kyiv in order to provoke panic in the city.

Following instructions from their russian handler, they purchased the necessary components to make a detonating mechanism for an improvised bomb, which they then had to put together with the explosives hidden in a cache.

According to the investigation, the GRU’s assignment was carried out by a 20-year-old local resident and her 26-year-old partner. Both came to the enemy’s attention while looking for ‘easy money’ on Telegram.

After recruitment, the agents first set fire to several Defence Forces vehicles.

The SSU Counterintelligence acted preemptively and detained the traitors while they were carrying out a test task.

Components for a detonating mechanism and other evidence of cooperation with the GRU handler were seized from them during the search.

The court found both accused guilty under several Articles of the CCU:

• 28.2, 111.2 (high treason, committed by a group, upon prior conspiracy, under martial law);
• 114-1.1 (obstruction of the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine).

The investigation was carried out by the SSU Office in Zaporizhzhia region jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.