The main targets of the suspects were SUVs and vans
belonging to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They managed to set fire to five military
vehicles in three districts of the city. The perpetrators left provocative
leaflets near the damaged vehicles, aimed at discrediting Ukraine’s Defense
Forces.
According to the Ukrainian security service, Russia is
attempting to destabilize the socio-political situation in Kyiv by disguising
the orchestrated arson as the work of an anti-Ukrainian underground.
The investigation revealed that the men operated in two
groups of two, with one acting alone. The suspects, aged 21 to 29, are
residents of Sumy, Poltava, and Mykolaiv Oblasts. They came to Kyiv for work
and were contacted by Russian intelligence through Telegram channels.
Following the instructions of the occupiers, the suspects
first identified potential targets and sent corresponding photos to their
Russian handlers for approval. They then arrived at the parking locations of
military vehicles, set them on fire using flammable mixtures, and recorded the
incidents on their phones for “reporting.”
The SBU reports that after carrying out the attacks, the
suspects expected a reward from the occupiers, but never received the promised
money. Authorities seized incendiary tools, homemade anti-Ukrainian leaflets,
and mobile phones with evidence from the detainees.
The suspects have been charged with obstructing the lawful
activities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and other military formations during a
special period, committed by a group of individuals in conspiracy. They are
currently in custody, facing up to 8 years in prison.
Military vehicle arson in Ukraine
The police have recorded over 200 incidents of arson
targeting military vehicles. According to law enforcement, 50 of these were
carried out by minors.
On Aug. 13, the SBU detained two local residents, aged 15
and 18, in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast for setting fire to three Ukrainian Armed
Forces vehicles.
On Aug. 8, the SBU announced the detention of a 16-year-old
boy in Kyiv suspected of preparing a series of arson attacks on military
vehicles on orders from Russian intelligence.
On Sept. 3, the SBU and National Police officials detained a
man suspected of organizing a group of arsonists targeting military vehicles in
Kherson, Odesa, and Mykolaiv oblasts.
On Sept. 7, the SBU and National Police detained two groups
of individuals suspected of setting fire to Ukrainian military vehicles in Kyiv
and Khmelnytskyi on orders from Russian intelligence services.