Ukraine detains two men accused of planning FSB-directed attack PHOTO

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), working in coordination with the National Police, has thwarted a planned terrorist attack in Kyiv and detained two individuals alleged to be agents of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), the agency said.

According to the SBU, the suspects were preparing to target an administrative building in central Kyiv. Investigators allege that they planted an improvised incendiary device designed to ignite and trigger an explosion at a generator installation located near the facility.

The device was reportedly intended to be activated remotely while the suspects were traveling toward Belarus, which authorities say they planned to use as a transit route to flee to Russia.

The SBU said investigators established that after planting the device, the suspects boarded a passenger train bound for Ukraine's Chernihiv region. From there, they allegedly intended to cross the border illegally by river using an inflatable boat.

Law enforcement officers uncovered the plot before it could be carried out, documented the suspects' activities, and detained them aboard the train, according to the agency.

The SBU said both suspects were residents of Kyiv who had allegedly been recruited by the FSB. One of the detainees is reported to be a member of the military.

According to the investigation, the suspects came into contact with Russian intelligence operatives through Telegram channels.

SBU investigators have notified the two men that they are suspected of committing an attempted terrorist act. Authorities are also considering additional charges of high treason committed under martial law.

The suspects remain in custody and could face life imprisonment and confiscation of property if convicted, the SBU said.

By Vafa Guliyeva