Russian intelligence recruited two teenagers for terror attacks in Ivano-Frankivsk

This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General.

A separate case was also opened regarding the illegal manufacture of explosives and explosive devices by a group of individuals acting in conspiracy.

According to the investigation, two young men found a job advertisement on Telegram. Following the instructions of their "employer," they made explosive devices in a rented apartment and were supposed to plant them at a designated location in exchange for monetary compensation.

On March 11, while transporting the explosives to their "target" near the Ivano-Frankivsk railway station, one of the bombs detonated. As a result, one of the teenagers was killed, the other was injured, and two bystanders suffered shrapnel wounds.

Perpetrators were underage local residents

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) confirmed that the perpetrators were two local minors, aged 15 and 17, who were recruited by Russian intelligence through Telegram channels promising "easy money" and were drawn into criminal activity. The 17-year-old suspect died at the scene, while his 15-year-old accomplice was hospitalized with serious injuries.

According to the investigation, the teenagers were college students and friends.

In exchange for money promised by the occupiers, they followed instructions from a Russian handler to manufacture homemade explosives and two IEDs disguised as thermoses. To maintain secrecy, they worked on the devices in a rented apartment near the railway station, paid for by their handler.

Both explosive devices were fitted with remote-controlled detonators and additional lethal elements, including metal nuts. Once the bombs were ready, the suspects armed them and followed their Russian contact’s instructions.

At approximately 6:30 PM on March 11, they were en route to a designated location to plant one of the devices. During their movement, Russian intelligence, tracking them via GPS, remotely activated the IED in their bag.

Besides the two minors, two bystanders were also injured by the blast.

Simultaneously, Russian handlers remotely detonated the second explosive device inside the rented apartment.

What happened earlier

On March 11, explosions were reported in Ivano-Frankivsk. The twin blasts on Pryvokzalna Street 9 and 49 injured three people, who were hospitalized, and killed one.

The mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk shared an update from law enforcement regarding the investigation. Authorities confirmed that an explosive device was used at the first location, while the second blast was likely also caused by detonation. However, there is no definitive conclusion yet.

"There are several working theories, ranging from accidental mishandling to involvement of Moscow’s intelligence services. The investigation is ongoing, and the final conclusion will be made by law enforcement," the mayor stated.