In Kyiv, an FSB intelligence and combat group that was preparing powerful explosions was neutralized

In Kyiv, a “reactivated” agent-combat group of the FSB of the Russian Federation was neutralized. She was preparing a series of powerful explosions at military command and control facilities of the Defense Forces, located in the Kyiv region.

The attackers were neutralized by counterintelligence of the SBU. The enemy group consisted of three people.

According to intelligence services, among the enemy’s priority targets were units of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, as well as their reserve command posts.

“To commit sabotage, the defendants planned to use 10 drones, which they specially equipped with improvised explosive devices,” law enforcement officers said.

However, the SBU officers acted proactively - all members of the Russian group were detained when they had already begun the active phase of preparing sabotage.

As it was established, the enemy group was formed back in 2018 by a career employee of the 9th Directorate of the Operational Information Department of the 5th Service of the FSB of the Russian Federation.

“It included three people (residents of Kyiv and Chernigov), who, after recruitment, were transferred to “standby” mode until the start of a full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation,” the intelligence service reported.

It is also noted that each of the defendants had his own specialization in conducting reconnaissance and subversive activities in favor of the occupiers.

In particular, one of them produced improvised explosive devices, the other was responsible for converting “civilian” UAVs into attack drones. Another participant directly controlled drones, and she learned this at a course for training drone operators in March 2023 in the Kyiv region.

The SBU added that laboratories for the production of explosives and modernization of drones were set up at the places of residence of the defendants.

In the spring, group members began tracking the locations of the Defense Forces units in Kyiv and the region.

“Based on the collected evidence, enemy henchmen were informed of suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The perpetrators are in custody. They face up to 15 years in prison,” the SBU said.