Two suspected Russian agents arrested over planned drone attacks in Odesa photo

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has uncovered and detained two agents of Russian military intelligence (GRU) who were planning aerial strikes on local military targets using quadcopters loaded with explosives.

According to the SBU’s press service, a 49-year-old local businessman had been recruited via a Telegram channel and received from his handlers in Russia a quadcopter, 2 kilograms of plastic explosive, and components for an improvised explosive device. He then enlisted a 47-year-old acquaintance to scout locations of Ukrainian units. The two marked these sites on maps and transmitted them to their Russian handler.

The arrests took place during preparations for launching the UAVs, when the drone’s warhead had already been completed. During searches, authorities seized a quadcopter fitted with explosives, a Kalashnikov rifle, two Makarov pistols with ammunition, an F-1 fragmentation grenade, and other weapons.

The agents have been formally notified of suspicion under articles of Ukraine’s Criminal Code: high treason under martial law and aiding in its commission. The suspects have been remanded in custody without the right to bail and face a potential life sentence with confiscation of property.

By Tamilla Hasanova