Skip to content
Edit post

Russian sleeper cell plotting 'violent seizure of power in Odesa' thwarted, SBU claims

by Chris York September 23, 2024 12:02 PM 2 min read
A picture released by the SBU on Sept. 23 showing one of the men detained in Odesa (SBU/Telegram)
This audio is created with AI assistance

A "combat group" operating under Russian orders has been neutralized while preparing "a violent seizure of power in Odesa," Ukraine's State Security Service (SBU) said on Sept. 23.

In a post on Telegram, the SBU said the group had originally planned to seize administrative buildings and state institutions in the city at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

It said that once Moscow's invasion faltered, the group was instead instructed by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) to lie low and await further instructions.

It was then reactivated over the summer but was exposed by the SBU shortly after.

A picture released by the SBU on Sept. 23 showing some of the equipment seized during the operation (SBU/Telegram)

The SBU said the leader of the group — a 49-year-old man who previously lived in Crimea and moved to Odesa after Russia's illegal annexation of the peninsula in 2014 — and his "right-hand man" had been detained.

It said during the operation it had discovered "70 firearms with optical sights and ammunition, as well as body armor, helmets, ballistic goggles and other tactical equipment."

According to the SBU, the leader of the group had managed to recruit "more than two dozen" people.

"Currently, all of them are under investigation, and comprehensive measures are underway to bring them to justice for crimes against Ukraine," the SBU added.

If found guilty they face up to 10 years in prison.

Ukraine’s 79th brigade releases video of ‘massive’ Russian attack being repelled near Kurakhove
Ukrainian paratroopers damaged one Russian tank, destroyed two others as well as two Russian armored vehicles with troops, Ukraine’s 79th Tavrian Air Assault Brigade said.

News Feed

2:27 AM

Russia's strike on Sumy Oblast kills 2.

Russia attacked the Esman community in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast on Oct. 8 with guided bombs, killing two civilians, local military administration reports.
3:20 PM

Cuba asks to join BRICS as partner country in letter to Putin.

"Cuba has officially requested to join the BRICS as a 'Partner Country' through a letter to the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, who holds the presidency of the group," said Carlos M. Pereira, the director of bilateral relations at the Cuban Foreign Ministry, in an X post shared by the ministry's official account.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.