Ukrainian authorities have detained seven individuals, including five teenagers, on suspicion of planning sabotage attacks on behalf of Russian intelligence, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced on Tuesday.
Among those arrested are a 14-year-old schoolgirl accused of preparing explosives to target a Ukrainian soldier and two 14-year-old boys suspected of attempting to bomb a police vehicle. The group reportedly plotted attacks on Ukrainian military and law enforcement personnel using improvised explosive devices.
According to the SBU, the suspects were recruited by Russian operatives via Telegram channels that advertised “easy money.” These channels are said to target vulnerable youth, grooming them with promises of financial rewards in exchange for carrying out acts of sabotage.
“The SBU has exposed seven more Russian agents who were preparing terrorist attacks against Ukrainian military and law enforcement officers,” the agency said in an official statement.
This case adds to a growing number of arrests involving Ukrainian youths allegedly recruited by Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Both Kyiv and Moscow have repeatedly accused each other of exploiting civilians, especially minors, to carry out clandestine missions.
If convicted, the suspects could face prison sentences ranging from 12 years to life.
The SBU emphasized the ongoing threat of online radicalization and urged parents to monitor their children’s internet use closely, particularly on messaging platforms known to be used for recruitment.
Written By Rodney Mbua
