SBU Arrests 3 Alleged Russian Agents Planning Drone Attacks in Kyiv

Three alleged Russian agents have been arrested over attempted attacks on military positions in Kyiv using self-converted drones, according to a press release from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU).

On Oct. 25, SBU reported that their counterintelligence unit had “neutralized” a Russian intelligence (FSB) combat group in Kyiv. The group was reportedly planning a drone attack on military facilities with up to 10 self-converted drones armed with explosives.

It is believed the group was founded by the FSB in 2018, and the three arrested individuals were recruited before the invasion and activated afterward.

Each member of the group had a role — one was in charge of explosive devices, one was converting hobbyist drones into attack drones, and one was in charge of drone operations, the SBU said.

The group has been known to conduct reconnaissance on local military units and facilities.

The three arrested individuals are residents of Kyiv and Chernihiv, and they have changed their address regularly to avoid detection, going as far as burning one of their apartments down to hide the trace of explosives.

They face up to 15 years in prison.

The current war in Ukraine has seen an increased use of drones on the front line, and the Ukrainian military announced the production of Ratel S, a Ukrainian-made unmanned ground vehicle (UGV).