SBU detains Russian GRU group planning four attacks in Kyiv
A group from the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), which was planning four terrorist attacks in Kyiv's hardware hypermarkets and near a popular cafe on May 9, has been detained, Ukraine’s SBU Security Service reported on Telegram on May 13.
The investigation uncovered that the improvised explosive devices, hidden in tea boxes, contained timers, detonators, and plastic explosives mixed with an incendiary agent designed to start extensive fires.
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The GRU planned to detonate these explosives during peak hours to maximize civilian casualties. Ukraine's SBU Security Service thwarted an attempt to destabilize the country by arresting the perpetrators as they placed these devices among flammable materials in a hypermarket, which would have hindered firefighting efforts.
Another plot targeted a popular cafe in Kyiv, where Russian agents intended to plant bombs in a nearby parked car.
"By planning these attacks, Russian special services have again shown their criminal nature," said SBU head Vasyl Malyuk. "We were proactive and disrupted the enemy's plans in time. We've documented every step of the criminals, and they will be punished, along with anyone supporting the Russian Federation. It's symbolic that the dates chosen for these attacks are turning into symbols of the failure of their special services."
The GRU officer orchestrating these attacks was identified as Yuriy Syzov, who is assigned to military unit No. 92154. Syzov directly instructed the detainees and even produced video tutorials on how to install explosive devices, filmed in a store in the Moscow Oblast.
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Syzov was also implicated in planning a sabotage operation in Lviv Oblast in February 2024, which the SBU also foiled.
The perpetrators were caught while setting up explosive devices in a third hypermarket.
Facing charges of high treason, sabotage, and terrorism under the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the detainees could receive life sentences.
"SBU acted proactively; attackers were detained red-handed," he said.
"We have also gathered evidence that confirms a Russian connection to this attack."
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
