Three perpetrators of terrorist attack on Darnytsia detained in Kyiv

Law enforcement officers in Kyiv, together with the Security Service of Ukraine, quickly detained three men who carried out a double terrorist attack in the Darnytskyi district of the capital on 11 December. The suspects acted on the instructions of a Russian ‘curator’ and made homemade explosive devices, which they planted on the patrol route of the National Guard.

The first explosion occurred when two soldiers were passing by. One National Guard officer was killed and the other, along with a construction site security guard, was injured. When police and medics arrived, a second detonation occurred, injuring two patrol policemen. In total, five people were injured in the attack.

According to the investigation, the perpetrators were three Ukrainian citizens aged 23, 25 and 27, natives of Odesa and Donetsk regions. In Kyiv, they worked as labourers, but at the same time they were looking for "easy money" in telegram channels, where they were recruited by the Russian special services.

After receiving the task, they purchased explosive components in various stores, made IEDs and planted them in the garbage. Near the place of planting, they installed mobile phones for online broadcasting and adjustment of explosions.

Police and the SBU assembled a large-scale investigation team, involving forensic experts, explosives experts and dog handlers. Within a few hours, security forces identified the attackers and detained them in a rented apartment. During the search, evidence confirming their involvement in the attack was seized.

The investigation is being conducted under Part 3 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The sanction of the article provides for life imprisonment.

Law enforcement officers emphasised that the special operation to expose the perpetrators was one of the fastest in recent years.