Ukraine detains suspect accused of plotting to kill military personnel

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has detained a man in the Rivne region suspected of cooperating with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), helping coordinate strikes and plotting the killings of Ukrainian servicemen.

According to investigators, the unemployed local man was recruited after posting anti-Ukrainian comments in Telegram chats, Caliber.Az reports, citing the SBU.

The SBU alleged that he travelled around the area on a motorcycle and filmed military facilities using a camera built into his helmet, then passed the coordinates of potential targets to the Russian security service.

Investigation revealed that the suspect later asked his handler for weapons and ammunition to kill Ukrainian Defence Forces personnel and also attempted to obtain a drone for aerial reconnaissance. He was detained near one of the Ukrainian military facilities.

The suspect was formally notified that he was under investigation on charges of high treason. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov