Ukrainian law enforcement finds and detains Odesa car bomber within 24 hours
A 33-year-old unemployed man has been arrested by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and the National Police just 24 hours after he blew up an SUV in Odesa under orders from Russian secret services on 16 February. The owner of the car was left injured by the terrorist attack.
Source: press service for the Security Service of Ukraine; Ukrainska Pravda sources in the SSU
Quote: "The case file states that the perpetrator crafted an improvised explosive device and positioned it beneath an SUV that was parked outside the entrance to an apartment building. The owner, who was close to the vehicle, was injured in the explosion."
Details: Sources in the SSU told Ukrainska Pravda that the detainee is Viktor Velentei, a 33-year-old unemployed man.
The investigators have established that the suspect came to the Russians' attention while searching for "easy money" on Telegram channels.
After he was recruited, Velentei received detailed instructions from his Russian handler on how to assemble an improvised explosive device (IED) using readily available materials.
The suspect bought the bomb components from hardware stores and assembled the explosive device, rigging it with a mobile phone for remote detonation.
After reconnaissance at the site of the planned attack, he placed the IED under the car and positioned a disguised smartphone nearby. Using the device, Russian operatives monitored the area and triggered the explosion remotely.
During a search of the detainee's home, the authorities seized components for making IEDs and smartphones that he had used to communicate with his Russian handler.
SSU investigators have served the detainee with a notice of suspicion under Article 258.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (act of terrorism).
The perpetrator remains in custody and faces up to 12 years in prison, along with the confiscation of assets.
Background: On 16 February, Ukrainian law enforcement reported that one person had been injured in a car explosion in Odesa's Kyivskyi district that morning. It is the second such incident in the district in the past 10 days.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!