A grenade launcher, explosives, or Molotov cocktails: how repeat offenders planned attacks on Territorial Recruitment Centers (TRCs)

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Police announced on October 20, 2026, that they had uncovered preparations for a series of terrorist attacks in central Kyiv, allegedly carried out on orders from Russian intelligence services. Law enforcement officers detained two men who were reportedly planning attacks on buildings belonging to territorial recruitment and social support centers (TRCs).

According to investigators, the suspects considered several methods of attack: firing grenade launchers at buildings, using live grenades and Molotov cocktails, and detonating improvised explosive devices.

The men were detained while conducting reconnaissance near potential targets. According to case materials, they drove around the city, filmed restricted-access sites on their phones, recorded the locations of security personnel and surveillance cameras, and studied possible escape routes after an attack. According to the SBU, one of the detainees is a resident of Chernihiv region who had previously been convicted of murder. His alleged accomplice is a resident of Sumy region, with whom he had previously served time at the same penal colony. They also reportedly planned to recruit a third participant to carry out the plan.

During the arrest, law enforcement officers found a live grenade in one of the men’s cars, which investigators say could have been used in the terrorist attack.

Both detainees were charged under Part 1 of Article 14 and Part 2 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — preparing to commit a terrorist act by a group of persons acting in collusion. The court ordered them held in custody without the right to bail.

The suspects face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property under the charges. The third alleged accomplice, who the SBU says is abroad, has been charged in absentia.

We previously reported:

• SBU detains Russian agent who attempted to carry out a terrorist attack in Mykolaiv
• SBU foils a series of terrorist attacks in Izmail: Russian agent detained with explosives
• SBU detains 16-year-old Russian agent who made explosives for a terrorist attack
• Poison in drinks and a 10-kilogram bomb: FSB agents planned a mass killing of military personnel
• Terror in a residential district of Mykolaiv: woman planned explosions in the courtyard of an apartment building