The head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), Vasyl Malyuk, said Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has approved a wide-ranging sabotage campaign against Ukraine, organized by its federal security service (FSB) and military intelligence agency (GRU).
“Back in 2023, Putin signed a classified internal decree launching what they call ‘Sabotage Noise.’ This is an organized campaign of constant sabotage, terror attacks, and subversive actions designed to destabilize Ukraine,” Malyuk said during a press briefing, Kyiv Post reports.
According to Malyuk, these attacks, range from bombings to targeted assassinations, with the aim of spreading fear and chaos inside Ukraine.
One recent case nearly ended in tragedy at the SBU’s own headquarters in Kyiv.
“We tracked one of their sabotage groups. We discovered they had prepared a significant quantity of explosives. One man was supposed to hand off a suitcase with explosives to another terrorist. I ordered: the moment he hands over the suitcase, we follow him; once he enters the building, we detain him,” Malyuk said.
But the situation took an unexpected turn.
“To our surprise, a young girl picked up the suitcase. She got into a taxi, which drove a big loop and arrived here, at Volodymyrska [SBU headquarters]. The girl got out and carried that suitcase with explosives practically to our front door,” Malyuk said.
He clarified that, for security reasons, SBU staff no longer work at that central location and have been operating from alternative command posts for some time.
“But still, she delivered 7 kilograms (15.4 pounds) of explosives to this very building. We detained her in time. Given the type of shrapnel and the explosive power, the enemy could have caused enormous damage,” Malyuk stressed. The identity of the woman was not released.
This is far from an isolated case. Over the past two years, Ukraine’s security services have foiled dozens of Russian-planned terrorist attacks, many directly linked to the Kremlin’s so-called “Sabotage Noise” campaign.
In May 2024, the SBU disrupted a major assassination plot targeting Ukraine’s top military and intelligence officials, after which two colonels from Ukraine’s State Guard were arrested for collaborating with the FSB.
Investigators say they were preparing to assassinate the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, Malyuk, and President Volodymyr Zelensky using drones, rockets, and guided missiles. The conspirators were detained before they could carry out the plan.
Another high-profile attack was prevented on May 9, 2024 – Russia’s Victory Day. According to the SBU, four bombings were planned in crowded areas of Kyiv, targeting a hypermarket, a café, and other civilian locations.
Explosive devices, smuggled into Ukraine hidden among tea boxes and construction materials, were packed with timers and incendiary elements designed to cause mass casualties, fires, and panic. Thanks to SBU counterintelligence, the attacks were stopped in time, he said.