SBU claims to have thwarted a terrorist attack in Odesa – smugglers were transporting an explosive-laden drone from Abkhazia
Kyiv • UNN
The SBU has detained smugglers who were transporting a drone with explosives from Abkhazia for the FSB. The weapon was hidden among cigarettes to prepare for terrorist attacks in Odesa.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), together with the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) and with the assistance of the Commander of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, detained a group of smugglers who, on the orders of the Russian FSB, attempted to deliver a strike drone with explosives to Odesa to prepare terrorist attacks. This was reported by the SBU, according to UNN.
Details
According to the investigation, the perpetrators hid the weapons among a shipment of smuggled tobacco products that were being illegally transported across the Black Sea from temporarily occupied Abkhazia.
The route passed through neutral waters near Snake Island, where the cargo was transferred from the main vessel to small boats for covert delivery to the Odesa coast.
As reported by the SBU, law enforcement documented the activities of the suspects and detained four individuals "red-handed" as they delivered the contraband along with the combat weapons to the Odesa port area.
Among the seized items was a fiber-optic controlled strike drone equipped with explosives.
According to the investigation, the organizer of the scheme is an Odesa entrepreneur who is currently abroad and operates an illegal business in temporarily occupied Abkhazia.
In exchange for "permission" to engage in smuggling in the Caucasus, he agreed to cooperate with the FSB,
It was also established that three residents of Odesa and a local border guard, who was supposed to ensure the unhindered passage of vessels to the coast, were involved in the scheme.
In addition to delivering the drone, the suspects were tasked with extracting the organizer's brother from Ukraine by sea.
Currently, the detainees have been notified of suspicion under Part 2 of Art. 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine. The issue of additional charges for smuggling weapons and excisable goods is also being considered.
A notice of suspicion in absentia is being prepared for the organizer of the scheme. The perpetrators face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.