SBU and National Police foiled plot to kill defense company chief in Kyiv Oblast

Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) and National Police announced they had prevented a terrorist attack organized by Russian intelligence in Kyiv Oblast on August 26. The SBU stated the attack could have claimed the life of the head of a defense company. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) is believed to have orchestrated the assassination attempt.

The targeted individual was to be killed with a bomb concealed under his car's driver seat. SBU counterintelligence agents and the National Police discovered, removed, and defused the bomb before it could explode. The bomb contained 1 kilogram of RDX, equivalent to 2 kilograms of TNT. A 63-year-old retired resident from Luhansk Oblast was allegedly responsible for the plot.

Russian intelligence recruited him via his son, who had left a Russian-occupied area and settled in Russia. Having received instructions from his handlers, the suspect bought two mobile phones and a power bank. One month prior to the attack, he retrieved the necessary bomb components from a hidden location. A few days later, he assembled the bomb and attached it to the car.

The suspect also installed a concealed phone linked to a power bank near the vehicle, allowing his handlers to monitor its progress via live video feed. After placing the explosive device, the suspect went to Poland and intended to flee to Russia. Ukrainian and Polish authorities intercepted the man as he tried to cross into Russia via Belarus.

As part of the ongoing investigation, SBU investigators and prosecutors have requested the suspect's extradition to Ukraine. He has been charged in absentia with attempting a terrorist act under Article 15, part 2, and Article 258, part 1, of Ukraine's Criminal Code.