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The Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police apprehended the perpetrators of both terrorist attacks that occurred in Odesa on July 28th of this year. Within 24 hours, three Russian Federation agents were detained who had planted improvised explosive devices under the vehicles of a serviceman and a civilian resident, as reported by the SBU.
“As the investigation revealed, the perpetrators of the first explosion turned out to be two students from a local technical college who, on the orders of the Rashists, booby-trapped the car of a Ukrainian serviceman. In addition, the individuals installed a camouflaged video camera with remote access functionality for the enemy near the ‘target,’ hidden in a juice box,” the SBU’s statement on Telegram on Thursday read.
Using the disguised device, Russian intelligence operatives tracked the military man’s approach to the vehicle and detonated it remotely. As a result of the explosion, the victim sustained minor bodily injuries, and his vehicle was significantly damaged.
Law enforcement officers also apprehended, “while the trail was still hot,” the perpetrator of another high-profile terrorist act that took place on the same day in the port city. He turned out to be a local repeat offender who had previously been repeatedly brought to criminal responsibility for drug trafficking.
The offender planted an improvised explosive device under the car of a civilian who worked as a taxi driver. According to preliminary expert findings, the explosive’s power was equivalent to almost half a kilogram of TNT. According to case materials, Russian intelligence operatives detonated it remotely while the car was in motion, resulting in the driver’s death at the scene and the passenger sustaining severe injuries and being hospitalized.
It has been established that the Rashists recruited all the suspects through Telegram channels searching for “easy” money. During searches of the detained individuals, mobile phones and SIM cards with evidence of working for the enemy were seized.
Currently, investigators of the Security Service have already informed two of the suspects of their charges under Part 2 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (terrorist act). They face up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Another individual faces charges under Part 3 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (terrorist act resulting in death). He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The perpetrators are in custody.