SBU detains suspects behind bombing near Zhytomyr police station - photos

A 46-year-old resident of Kharkiv, who has served two prison sentences for robbery and burglary, and four residents of Zhytomyr, aged 15, 16, 18 and 20, acted on the orders of Russian special services, which recruited them via Telegram channels with the promise of easy money. 

The suspects made an improvised explosive device filled with nails and disguised as a thermos flask, which they detonated using a mobile phone near the district police station. One police officer was injured in the attack.

Acting separately, they purchased the necessary chemicals and materials for the explosive from several hardware stores. They conducted and filmed a test in a rented apartment and shared it with the Russian curators before carrying out the terrorist attack. 

During the searches, the SBU seized evidence, including components of the explosive device and mobile phones with incriminating content. 

The suspects are charged with committing a terrorist act by prior conspiracy of a group of persons under Part 2 Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and face up to 12 years in prison and confiscation of property.

Earlier, on Nov. 26, the SBU detained a 43-year-old man suspected of planning a terrorist attack targeting a police unit in central Kyiv.