SBU detains Russian accomplice plotting arson at railway infrastructure, orchestrating strikes on Odesa

The Security Service of Ukraine detained a Russian FSB asset who is believed to have been preparing a series of arson attacks against the strategic facilities run by the Ukrzaliznytsia railway operator and monitoring the army deployment sites in Odesa to spot Russian missile strikes targeting them.

This was reported by the SBU press office, Ukrinform saw.

The perpetrator had been operating in Odesa region where his Russian handlers told him to locate primarily Ukraine’s air defense capabilities protecting the airspace over the city.

The suspect, a 39-year-old local resident, was also tasked with damaging or destroying railway infrastructure, including semaphores.

After the first arson episode, the SBU detained the culprit on hot pursuit.

The inquiry believes the perpetrator was plotting more arson attempts.

The SBU learned that the suspect had previously lived in Russia, where he was recruited by an FSB operative. Also, it is believed that his father still lives in the aggressor state.

The perpetrator is in custody, facing life in prison if found guilty of treason and sabotage under martial law, as well as illegal handling of ammunition.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the SBU and National Police nabbed a Russian accomplice who had been preparing a series of arson attacks at strategic facilities run by Ukrzaliznytsia in Kyiv.