The SBU detained a Russian agent who attempted to carry out a terrorist attack in Mykolaiv

Counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine prevented a terrorist attack in Mykolaiv. This was reported July 22, 2026.

Law enforcement detained an agent of the Russian Federation who, according to the investigation, was preparing to kill a serviceman of the Defense Forces using an improvised bomb. The perpetrator was detained “red-handed” while he was planting an explosive under the vehicle of a Ukrainian serviceman.

The investigation found that the task from the Russian special services was carried out by a mobilized man from the Bashtanka district. He came into the enemy’s sights after he left his military unit without permission and began looking for “easy” money in Telegram channels. After receiving instructions, the suspect conducted reconnaissance near the potential target’s car and reported his readiness for the terrorist act to his handler in the Russian Federation. Later he received the coordinates of a cache, took an improvised explosive device from there and tried to covertly install it under the serviceman’s vehicle.

While documenting the crime, the SBU also established that the suspect had received another task from the enemy — to register Starlink satellite terminals for the Russian special services. According to the investigation, at first the man registered the internet device in his name and transmitted the relevant details to the Russian Federation. He then tried to involve his wife and ten drug addicts in the clandestine registration of Starlink; according to the investigation, they agreed to provide passport data in exchange for a promise of money.

The SBU notes that if the enemy had gained access to the satellite terminals, they planned to use them to correct missile and bomb, artillery and drone attacks on the southern front.

During searches, investigators seized a smartphone from which he coordinated actions with his handler from the aggressor country. The Starlink he had illegally registered was blocked. SBU investigators notified the suspect of suspicion under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: part 2 of Article 111 — high treason committed in conditions of martial law, and part 2 of Article 15, part 1 of Article 258 — a completed attempt to commit a terrorist act. The suspect is held in custody without the right to bail. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Earlier we wrote:

• Starlink for the occupiers for $100: SBU exposed 8 Russian agents recruited via Telegram
• Betrayal, graffiti, arson: in Mykolaiv a serviceman prepared a terrorist bombing for Russian money
• Gave away positions of the Armed Forces for money: in Mykolaiv the SBU detained a repeat offender who worked for the Russian Federation
• SBU detained four Mykolaiv residents who leaked the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ coordinates to Russians
• Explosive under the car’s undercarriage: in Odesa a man was injured during a terrorist attack – the perpetrator was caught within a day
• SBU and the National Police exposed 497 people involved in arson of Armed Forces vehicles and preparing terrorist attacks near recruitment centers