Ukraine says it detained 2 Russian ‘agents’ preparing missile strikes in 3 regions

ISTANBUL

Ukraine on Wednesday said it detained a group of Russian “agents” preparing missile strikes on military personnel, as well as energy and telecommunications facilities, in the country’s Kyiv, Poltava, and Odesa regions.

A statement by Ukraine’s Security Service said two people allegedly affiliated with Russia’s Federal Security Service were detained following special operations in Kyiv and Odesa, and were preparing missile strikes on Ukrainian military units, as well as energy and telecommunications facilities in three regions.

“The agents were especially focused on army units that provide security for the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, gathering on the Defense Forces in Poltava region, as well as the Kyiv TV Tower and the capital's thermal power station,” the statement said.

The two detainees tried to identify the location of bases housing Ukrainian troops, after which they would send the appropriate coordinates of these bases to plan such attacks, it added.

One of those detained got a job as a freight forwarder in an Odesa-based company supplying food to the military, while the other was collecting information about the technical condition of the Kyiv TV Tower after it was shelled in March 2022, the statement further said.

“He also photographed the exterior of one of the thermal power plants, which provides electricity and heat to a large part of the capital region,” it noted.

The statement added that the security service caught both individuals “red-handed” when they were looking out for new “potential targets" for Russia.

Investigators have notified both persons of the charges against them under Ukraine’s Criminal Code, it said, noting that they are facing life imprisonment.