Investigators from the Security Service of Ukraine have completed the pre-trial investigation concerning three individuals who manufactured an improvised explosive device (IED) that detonated on March 20 near one of the shopping centers in Rivne.
This is reported by Rivne24
It has been established that the occupiers planned to carry out a terrorist attack near the administrative building of the police in Rivne when a large number of law enforcement officers would be present. However, the IED detonated earlier when the three perpetrators were en route to the designated “target.”
As a result of operational measures, the Security Service employees were able to detain the individuals who manufactured the explosives on behalf of Russia.
The organizer turned out to be a 41-year-old resident of Rivne who had drug problems and was seeking “quick” earnings through Telegram channels, where he was recruited by Russian special services.
To fulfill the order, he involved two friends: one helped find the components, while the other manufactured the remote detonation mechanism for the Russian agents.
When the suspects activated the explosives, they disguised it in a metal box for an alcoholic beverage and moved it to the location indicated by the Russian “curator.”
However, the explosive device detonated prematurely when a random SMS notification was received on the mobile phone connected to the IED. As a result of the explosion, two individuals sustained injuries of varying severity.
Under the procedural guidance of the Rivne Regional Prosecutor’s Office, indictments have been sent to court against the three suspects, who are accused of committing crimes under:
- Part 2 of Article 258 (terrorist act);
- Part 1 of Article 263 (illegal handling of explosives);
- Part 2 of Article 263-1 (illegal manufacturing of an explosive device committed by a group of individuals in conspiracy).