SSU detains Russian agent who attempted to cut off power to Kropyvnytskyi

According to Ukrinform, the SSU reported this on its website.

As a result of preemptive actions, the Russian agent was detained while preparing to blow up a key electrical substation in the regional center. SSU officers caught the suspect during curfew as he was retrieving a homemade bomb from a stash at the entrance to the city.

According to case materials, the explosive device was equipped with 300 grams of plastic explosive and a mobile phone for remote detonation. The investigation established that the agent planned to take a taxi to transport the bomb to the site of the planned sabotage and plant it near transformers at a major electrical substation.

In this way, Russian operatives intended to destroy a critical energy hub that supplies power to most of Kropyvnytskyi's strategic and social infrastructure facilities.

According to investigators, the FSB recruited a local unemployed man to carry out the task. He came to the attention of Russian handlers while searching for easy money through Telegram channels.

After agreeing to the promise of quick earnings, the agent received coordinates of the stash containing the improvised explosive device, as well as the location of the planned sabotage.

During a search, authorities seized the explosive device and a smartphone containing evidence of cooperation with the enemy.

SSU investigators have notified the suspect of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law).

Additionally, the issue of further legal qualification of his crimes, including preparation for sabotage, is being considered.

The suspect is currently in custody without the right to bail and faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

As Ukrinform reported, in 2025–2026 the Security Service of Ukraine prevented 195 crimes involving explosives and identified more than 1,000 individuals involved in sabotage and terrorist-related offenses.