Russian Intelligence Blackmails Ukrainian Teen With Compromising Photos into Terrorist Attack

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Police have arrested a 14-year-old Ukrainian girl who was coerced by Russian agents into carrying out a terrorist attack in Ternopil by blackmailing the girl, the SBU reported on March 21.

The SBU and the National Police uncovered another case of Russian intelligence services involving Ukrainian minors in the preparation of terrorist acts.

“As a result of comprehensive operations in Ternopil, a 14-year-old schoolgirl was arrested after being recruited by the occupiers to carry out a suicide bombing with explosives near the local police district office,” SBU wrote.

The investigation revealed that the Russian agents targeted the girl while she was searching for quick ways to make money on Telegram channels. To recruit her, the agents hacked her phone, blackmailing her with threats to leak her compromising photos online.

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As a result, the schoolgirl agreed to work for the Russian intelligence and, following their instructions constructed an improvised explosive device. She then concealed it in a backpack and secretly placed it under a car parked near the police administration building.

At that moment, Russian intelligence agents planned to remotely detonate the explosive device, intending to kill their recruited agent and as many civilians as possible passing by.

The suspect is currently under house arrest. She faces up to 10 years in prison with asset confiscation.

This is yet another example of Russian intelligence services recruiting Ukrainian teenagers in order to carry out a terrorist attack.

On the evening of March 11, the Russian intelligence agency blew up two of its agents who were carrying an improvised explosive device near the Ivano-Frankivsk railway station.