A citizen of one of the European countries, who acted on the instructions of Russian special services, is charged with arson of two power substations in Odesa region. This was reported by the Security Service of Ukraine.
“The Security Service detained an enemy saboteur who set fire to strategic energy facilities in Odesa region. He turned out to be a citizen of a neighboring European country who lived in Ukraine and worked for the Russian Federal Security Service,” the statement said.
According to the SBU, the suspect poured gasoline on power substations and set fire to transformers that provide electricity to eight settlements.
“In this way, the enemy tried to de-energize hundreds of residential buildings, hospitals, heat generating enterprises, hydroelectric facilities and gas supply facilities,” the SBU said.
The man, according to the agency, is involved in criminal activity and has the status of a “supervisor” in two border towns in one of the neighboring European countries.
“He was recruited by the FSB and in the spring of this year received a task to commit a series of arsons in Odesa region. To do this, he involved his accomplice, who had a residence permit in Ukraine,” the SBU said.
After the arson, the man tried to leave the country, but the SBU managed to catch him on the way to the border.
The suspect is being investigated under Article 113 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (sabotage) and faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
