Ukraine says it detained alleged FSB agent over arson attacks on military vehicles

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) says it has detained a suspected Russian intelligence operative accused of coordinating arson attacks on vehicles used by the country’s defence forces in the capital.

In a statement, the SBU said the suspect was acting on instructions from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) and was responsible for recruiting and directing individuals to carry out sabotage operations in Kyiv, Caliber.Az reports. 

According to the SBU, the suspect identified and recruited individuals to set fire to vehicles belonging to Ukrainian defence units. Authorities said earlier that two alleged operatives under his coordination were involved in vehicle arson attacks in the Desnianskyi district of Kyiv.

The agency said the coordinator was a conscript who had deserted his post in the Kharkiv region before relocating to Kyiv, where he allegedly came into contact with Russian intelligence through messaging channels in search of “quick money.”

“He came to the attention of the Russian special services while looking for ‘quick money’ on Telegram channels,” the SBU said.

The statement added that recruits, including individuals described as drug users, were allegedly paid to carry out arson attacks, with targets coordinated in advance and evidence of the fires sent to the handler via messaging apps.

The SBU said the suspect was detained at his residence in Kyiv, and a smartphone containing evidence of alleged cooperation with Russian intelligence was seized during searches.

The detainee remains in custody and faces up to eight years in prison if convicted, according to the agency. 

By Sabina Mammadli