Ukraine’s Security Service, known as SBU, has arrested two suspected Russian agents who were preparing a drone attack on Ukraine’s southwestern Odesa city.
In a statement released on Friday, the agency said the suspects would launch missiles-laden drones on Odessa and were detained as they were completing a civilian quadcopter rigged with explosives and after a Russian handler had given approval for a target tied to a local unit of Ukraine’s defense forces.
One of the suspects (49) had been recruited via a Telegram channel and received a drone from Russian handlers and later retrieved about 2 kilograms of plastic explosive and components to assemble an improvised explosive device, which he mounted on the aircraft.
Investigators said the man later recruited a 47-year-old associate to assist in identifying locations where Ukrainian forces were concentrated. Together, they flagged possible targets on Google Maps and relayed the information to their Russian handler before moving ahead with attack preparations.
During searches, authorities found a drone packed with explosives, an AK-type rifle, two Makarov pistols with ammunition, an F-1 grenade, and other weapons, according to the SBU.
The suspected face a charge of treason committed under martial law. If convicted, both men would face life imprisonment.
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