A Russian coup attempt in Odessa has been thwarted by the Ukrainian security service, the SBU.
According to the security service, a combat group from the Russian army is said to have prepared a violent takeover in the port city.
In a raid, a large number of firearms were seized and several people were arrested, including the group’s leader, who now risks a long prison sentence.
The battle group is said to have received instructions from Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU. Already at the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, orders were given to take control of state institutions in Odessa, the Security Service of Ukraine, SBU, writes on Telegram.
In addition to the task of storming administrative buildings, the group’s goal should have been to attack Odessa from within, in the event of a Russian offensive against the port city.
Was neutralized by the SBU
The group is said to have been asked to wait when Russia’s advance at the front did not go as planned. In the summer of 2024, the group will have been activated again, then with new secret information. According to its own statement, Ukraine’s security service had the group under surveillance and documented its activity – when the battle group was subsequently activated by the Kremlin, it must have been immediately neutralized by Ukraine.
In a raid against the Russian battle group, the counterintelligence unit of the Ukrainian Security Service seized a large amount of military equipment. Including 70 firearms with optical sights and associated ammunition, protective vests and helmets.
Created special attack group
The leader of the group is said to have been a 49-year-old man, formerly resident on the Crimean Peninsula. After Russia’s annexation of Crimea, he moved to Odessa, where at the start of the full-scale invasion he assembled operational combat units – disguised as public organizations.
Organizations for military history, ecology and forensics are said to have been fronts for snipers, intelligence and a special attack group.
The 49-year-old is said to have recruited people with cutting edge skills and with experience in military operations. As a reward, these should have been promised positions within the local occupation force in Odessa in the event of a takeover of the city. In total, he recruited close to two dozen military men.
Currently, all those involved are under investigation and are expected to be brought to justice for crimes against Ukraine. Those arrested are in custody and risk up to ten years in prison, SBU writes on Telegram.