Law enforcement nabs FSB-recruited group plotting arson in Ukraine, Poland, Baltic States
That's according to the SBU press office, Ukrinform reports.
SBU counterintelligence operatives jointly with the National Police prevented a series of terrorist attacks in Ukraine and some European Union member states.
As a result of the special raid run in different regions of Ukraine, law enforcers neutralized a group of Russian FSB assets plotting arson attacks in crowded locations in several countries.
The masterminds behind the scheme intended to target shopping malls, gas stations, pharmacies and markets in Ukraine, Poland, and the Baltic States.
During a raid in Ivano-Frankivsk region, law enforcers detained the group leader and his accomplice.
The perpetrators acted as part of a criminal group, remotely coordinated by Russian intelligence.
The ring consisted of 19 persons, based in Ivano-Frankivsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
According to the investigation, the suspects had been recruiting potential arsonists from among local criminals.
In order to ensure that the recruited arsonists can travel abroad and further receive a protection status in the EU, the criminal group would provide them with forged paperwork and IDs, including passports, driver's licenses, diplomas and medical certificates issued in other persons’ names.
After committing acts of arson, those executing them were supposed to film the aftermath to report to their FSB handlers.
The Russians planned to use the media files to prepare special information operations aimed at destabilizing the social and political situation in the European Union.
The ring leader and his accomplice were charged with treason and forgery.
The investigation is ongoing to bring all the culprits to justice.
The perpetrators face life imprisonment if found guilty in court.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, Lviv law enforcers detained a group who are believed to have been committing arson attacks targeting the vehicles driven by Ukrainian military. The attacks were masterminded by their FSB handlers.
