SBU neutralizes Russian GRU group in Kharkiv after car bombing
Ukraine’s SBU Security Service has neutralized a Russian military intelligence (GRU) group in Kharkiv that was responsible for a car bombing and planning further attacks, according to a statement released on Telegram on Nov. 18.
In June, the group detonated a car belonging to a Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman, resulting in severe injuries. The suspects allegedly tracked the parking location of the vehicle in Kharkiv and placed a makeshift explosive device underneath it.
The group consisted of four locals: a Kharkiv software engineer, a former military serviceman, and two unemployed individuals, according to law enforcement.
"The group's activities were coordinated by a 'DPR special forces' fighter who is fighting against Ukraine on the eastern front and cooperates with the Russian GRU," the statement reads.
“Following his instructions, after blowing up the car of the Ukrainian soldier, the agents were preparing another terrorist attack against the Defense Forces. For this purpose, they made another explosive device and tried to hide it in a pre-arranged cache.”
Simultaneously, the suspects were tasked with tracking and derailing a train carrying military equipment for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to the frontline.
The SBU detained all four suspected members of the group. One of the suspects was arrested "red-handed" in a forest area while attempting to hide a box containing an explosive device in a cache. The other suspected agents were arrested at their residences.
The detainees have been charged under Part 2 of Article 111 for treason committed during wartime and Part 1 of Article 263 for illegal handling of explosives.
Tthe issue of qualifying the crimes under Article 113 for sabotage and Article 258 for terrorist acts is also being considered. The suspects face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
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