The Security Service of Ukraine has notified Artem Shmul, an officer of the Russian military intelligence, of suspicion in absentia for recruiting underage Ukrainian children to carry out sabotage and terrorist attacks in Odesa. This was reported by UNN with reference to the SBU press center.
Details
The investigation established that Shmul recruited Odesa residents aged 13 to 18. In May 2024, SBU officers exposed four agents attempting to set fire to two military vehicles in Odesa in exchange for quick "earnings."
They recorded the fires on phone cameras for a "report" to Shmul, with whom they communicated via messengers. During searches of the detainees, anti-Ukrainian materials and smartphones with evidence of working for the Russian GRU were seized
These crimes are classified under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- Part 2 of Art. 28, Part 2 of Art. 15, Part 2 of Art. 113 (sabotage,
committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons under martial law);
- Part 2 of Art. 15, Part 2 of Art. 258 (completed attempt to
commit a terrorist act).
Shmul himself was notified of suspicion under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- Part 2 of Art. 258-5 (financing of terrorism);
- Part 3 of Art. 27, Part 2 of Art. 258 (organization of
a terrorist act committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons).
Recall
The Security Service of Ukraine notified of suspicion in absentia the Russian military personnel who commanded the "Iskander" strike on the Mykolaiv Regional Council in 2022.