Law enforcement officers have uncovered a agent-combat network of the Russian Federation, which was engaged in gathering intelligence on Ukraine’s Defence Forces, preparing terrorist acts and contract killings on Ukrainian territory. The network consisted of 10 individuals who collected information about the locations, movements, armaments, equipment, and personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kramatorsk and Pokrovsk districts of the Donetsk region, as well as in the Kharkiv region.
Network participants recorded the aftermath of enemy strikes and transmitted the collected data via messengers to Russian handlers. In Kramatorsk, agents were tasked with identifying a dining establishment frequently visited by Ukrainian servicemen, with the intention of carrying out a terrorist act there. An explosive device for this purpose was dropped by a drone at a pre-determined location.
Additionally, network members were preparing contract killings of public figures and servicemen in various regions of Ukraine. Among the potential victims were an advisor to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, volunteer Serhiy Sternenko, as well as a Russian citizen, RDK fighter Ilya Bogdanov, who has been fighting on Ukraine’s side since 2014.
During a special operation, an armed hitman, a network participant who resisted with arms, was neutralised. According to the investigation, he had undergone training in the temporarily occupied territory of the Donetsk region and was sent to Ukraine-controlled territory to manufacture and plant improvised explosive devices.
During searches, firearms, ammunition, components for explosive devices, communication devices, and equipment with evidence of collaboration with Russian special services were seized from the suspects. One of the detainees also admitted during interrogation that he had previously carried out a car park explosion in the interests of the Russian army.
Network participants are charged with state treason, collaborationist activities, unauthorised dissemination of information about the Armed Forces of Ukraine, preparation for a terrorist act, and illegal handling of weapons. The court has imposed a preventive measure on the suspects – detention without the right to bail. They face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Source: SpecprokuraturaZahidRegion