Attempt on Ukrainian Soldier in Kyiv Thwarted by Security Services
On June 26, an assassination attempt on a soldier from the “Azov” brigade occurred in Kyiv. The soldier, who met a girl through social media, was invited on a date and was told to retrieve keys hidden under the scooter’s seat. As he approached, an explosion was triggered. Fortunately, he sustained no injuries, reports 24brussels.
Following the soldier’s arrival at the meeting point, the assailants detonated an improvised explosive device remotely, which was placed inside the scooter.
The 19-year-old suspect, a resident of Kyiv Oblast, sought to earn “easy money” and was also planning additional terrorist acts in northern Ukraine under orders from Russia. After being recruited by Russian intelligence services, he rented an apartment in the capital, assembled an explosive device, and concealed it in the scooter, which he delivered to the designated attack site.
After the failed assassination attempt, the perpetrator checked into a hotel in the Chernihiv region and began preparations for new attacks, including plans to set fire to military vehicles. He was apprehended immediately after igniting one of the vehicles. Law enforcement found evidence of his collaboration with Russian officials, including components for an explosive device on his phone.
The suspect has been charged under part 2 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (terrorist act), facing a potential sentence of 12 years in prison with asset confiscation.
In a similar incident, a terrorist act was carried out in Kharkiv near a cafe on June 20, where Russian intelligence activated explosives placed in the trunk of a scooter while two soldiers were nearby. The Security Service of Ukraine, in collaboration with police, arrested an agent who had delivered the booby-trapped scooter to Ukrainian defenders.
