SBU prevents fourth terror attack in Rivne: agent detained after installing explosives

Fourth attempt at a terrorist act in Rivne

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reports the prevention of a terrorist act in Rivne. This is the fourth recorded attempt this year by Russian special services to carry out a terror attack in the city. This time, the enemy intended to destroy a unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine while it was moving to its permanent base.

Mechanism of the terror plot

According to the investigation, to implement the plan, Russian special services recruited a student from one of the Kyiv universities. His objective was to blow up the bus transporting the servicemen.

The agent installed an improvised explosive device (IED) under the vehicle. To ensure remote monitoring of the situation, he placed a phone with a camera opposite the parking area, disguised as a juice carton. This allowed the handlers in the Russian Federation to observe the process of the troops boarding and the movement of the bus to determine the optimal moment for detonation.

The investigation established that to increase the destructive effect of the explosion, two glass bottles containing a flammable substance were added to the device's structure.

Detention and recruitment details

The SBU timely detected the preparation of the crime, defused the explosives, and detained the agent at the city bus station. After installing the device, the suspect hurried to leave Rivne for Kyiv to hide.

During the detention, a smartphone was seized from him, which he used to inform the Russian side about the successful placement of the explosives. It turned out that the student came to the attention of the enemy special services when he was looking for ways to earn money quickly through thematic Telegram channels.

After arriving in Rivne, the agent rented an apartment. Later, a handler from Russia provided him with the coordinates of a dead drop where the improvised explosive device was stored.

Criminal liability

SBU investigators informed the detained person of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 15 and Part 2 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. These articles provide for liability for a completed attempt to commit a terrorist act.

The court selected a preventive measure in the form of detention without the right of release on bail. He faces a punishment of up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property for the crime committed.