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Ukrainian agent detained in southern Russia on suspicion of terrorism tells all

The detainee said that he was recruited by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate in September 2022

MOSCOW, November 23. /TASS/. An agent of the Ukrainian security services who was plotting an attack against a high-ranking Russian officer has said the crime was meant as an act of revenge and intimidation.

"In Voronezh, my handler Anton instructed me to carry out a bombing attack on a high-ranking Russian army commander as revenge and intimidation to other servicemen and civilians," he said in a video provided to TASS by Russia’s Federal Security Service’s (FSB) Public Relations Center.

The detainee also said that he had received the components to assemble an explosive device. "Following instructions, I added to it a large number of ball bearings to increase its damaging capability. To protect my identity, I was given a fake Russian passport and the handler told me to buy a realistic face mask. Then I tailed the military and when I was heading to the site where I was supposed to plant the explosive device, I was detained by FSB operatives," the detainee said.

He also said that he was recruited by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) in September 2022, after which he was trained in Kharkov, Ukraine, to assemble and set off explosive devices, use firearms, be a spy and conduct surveillance. According to him, last November he infiltrated Russian territory, first residing in Belgorod, then in Voronezh.

Earlier, the FSB Public Relations Center reported detaining an agent of the Ukrainian security services who was plotting an attack against a high-ranking Russian officer. Criminal charges were filed under Part 4 of Article 222.1 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Illegal Acquisition, Transfer, Sale, Storage, Transportation or Carrying of Explosives or Explosive Devices as Part of an Organized Group"). The suspect was arrested. Investigators are now considering classifying his crime as preparation of a terrorist act (Article 30, Article 205 of the Russian Criminal Code).

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