Russian security group was preparing to seize power in Odessa

The Security Service of Ukraine and the State Bureau of Investigation have carried out a special operation in Odessa and neutralised a Russian military intelligence operative group that was preparing a forceful seizure of power in the city, the Security Service of Ukraine and the State Bureau of Investigation have said. This was reported by the Security Service of Ukraine.

From the attackers seized more than 70 firearms, ammunition, body armour, helmets and other tactical equipment.

According to the investigation, the attackers were preparing a forceful seizure of state institutions in Odessa region.

Initially, the group was activated at the beginning of a full-scale invasion, but given the situation at the front, it was put on standby. New tasks were set for the group in the summer of 2024.

The leader of the group was a 49-year-old resident of temporarily occupied Crimea, who moved to Odessa after the capture of the peninsula. He began to form militant groups under the guise of public organisations, allegedly engaged in military history, ecology and jurisprudence. In reality, underground groups were set up, including snipers and an assault group. The defendants recruited people with combat skills and promised them 'positions' in the occupation administration if Odessa was captured," the SBU said.

According to law enforcers, there were more than 20 people in the group. All of them were searched and found documents testifying to their subversive activities on the territory of Odessa, edged weapons with the logo of Russian special services and computer equipment, which contained information testifying to the group's ties with Russia.

The detainees were charged under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. They are in custody and face up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property.