In Odessa, terrorists detonated a volunteer; the suspects were reportedly working for Russia.

In Odessa, four suspects have been apprehended in connection with a terrorist act that resulted in a fatality. It has been reported that these men intended to carry out several terrorist attacks commissioned by Russian intelligence services.

This information has been provided by the press service of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Office of the General Prosecutor (OGP).

According to the investigation, the suspects detonated a homemade explosive device near a private home in the Peresyp district of Odessa on January 20 at approximately 10:40 PM. The attack claimed the life of a 54-year-old homeowner, a local entrepreneur engaged in volunteer work.

Law enforcement officials discovered that the terrorist act was executed by four residents of Odessa, recruited by Russian intelligence services and acting in the interests of the aggressor state. In exchange for monetary compensation, they agreed to produce explosives and detonate them at a predetermined location. They were promised $2,500 for carrying out the attack.

To accomplish the enemy's task, one of the suspects fabricated an explosive device using readily available materials. The process of creation was overseen by a representative of the Russian intelligence services who provided detailed instructions online.

The other three suspects planted the homemade explosive device near the fence of the house, close to a parked car. A mobile phone was set up across from the scene in video streaming mode to record the attack.

To attract the victim's attention, the suspects set his vehicle on fire. The man exited to extinguish the flames and was subsequently killed on the spot due to the detonation of the explosive device that was in a backpack nearby.

Afterward, they called their "client," who was monitoring the crime in real-time, and he confirmed the completion of the task, transferring $1,000 to them, which they divided among themselves.

According to case materials, the terrorists also planned to set fire to several service vehicles and then, when the police arrived at the fire scene, remotely detonate the homemade explosive device (IED).
The perpetrators included three drug addicts aged between 23 and 45, along with a 46-year-old accomplice who had previously served time for theft and robbery.

It was established that the recidivist acted independently from the rest of the group and was responsible for manufacturing the explosive devices and placing them in hiding spots.

The criminals were apprehended while preparing an explosion near one of the regional police departments. They are facing charges under Part 3 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (terrorist act resulting in death). The court granted the prosecution's request - all four suspects have been placed in custody without the right to bail.