Ukrainian authorities bust Russian-backed arson ring targeting military vehicles

Source: Ukraine’s National Police

Ukrainian law enforcement has apprehended six young men in the city of Odessa for allegedly torching over a dozen military vehicles on behalf of Russian special services.

According to sources within the National Police of Ukraine, the suspects, who worked as couriers, used their  scooters to track down Ukrainian military personnel’s vehicles during the day, only to set them ablaze under the cover of night. Investigation found that the arsonists had taken orders directly from Russia’s FSB via a popular messaging app.

The perpetrators would also film the infernos on their phones and send the footage to their handlers as proof of a job well done – a requirement to receive payment for their sabotage acts. Authorities believe these six individuals are responsible for at least 15 vehicle fires, but the investigation suspects their involvement in several more similar incidents.