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SBU, National Police arrest 5 suspects accused of committing arson attacks in Kyiv on behalf of Russia

• 2 min read
SBU, National Police arrest 5 suspects accused of committing arson attacks in Kyiv on behalf of Russia
Ukraine's State Security Service (SBU) along with the country's National Police arrested five people on Sept. 12, 2024 accused of committing arson attacks on Ukrainian military vehicles on behalf of the Russian intelligence service (FSB). (SBU/web)

Ukraine's State Security Service (SBU) along with the country's National Police arrested five people on Sept. 12 accused of committing arson attacks on Ukrainian military vehicles on behalf of the Russian intelligence service (FSB).

According to investigators, the individuals set fire to five vehicles owned by Ukraine's military, including SUVs and military transport vans, in three neighborhoods of Kyiv. The accused also allegedly left leaflets near the arson sites "aimed at discrediting Defense Forces," the SBU said.

The unnamed suspects, described by the National Police as being between the ages of 21 and 29, are originally from the cities of Sumy, Poltava, and Mykolaiv.

The accused sought employment opportunities in Kyiv, the SBU alleges, while being lured into committing the arson attacks by Russian intelligence agents through Telegram channels in exchange for compensation.

The arsonists first identified the military targets to Russian intelligence agents, and then following the attack sent photographic evidence to Russian agents - evidence that the SBU subsequently seized after arresting the individuals.

The accused were charged under Ukraine's Criminal Code with charges related to interfering with the activities of the Armed Forces. They face up to eight years in prison, if convicted.

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Dmytro Basmat

Senior News Editor

Dmytro Basmat is a Senior News Editor for The Kyiv Independent. He previously worked in Canadian politics as a communications lead and spokesperson for a national political party, and as a communications assistant for a Canadian Member of Parliament. Basmat has a Master's degree in Political Management from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance from Toronto Metropolitan University.

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