Two police officers have been injured in an explosion that authorities say was a terrorist act in the town of Bucha near the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. An explosion occurred on a residential street in the early hours of Monday. When police arrived at the site, a second blast took place, injuring two officers.
Police arrested a 21-year-old local resident who they say was recruited online to carry out the two explosions. Authorities did not specify the platform for recruitment, but sources mentioned that it was done through the online game World of Tanks.
The suspect allegedly sought financial gain, claiming he was promised 25,000 hryvnyas (approximately £450 or $570) for each blast. The Ukrainian security service SBU has labeled him a Russian agent, although police are still investigating the actual origins of the recruitment.
In recordings, the suspect argued that he was blackmailed into planting the explosives, citing threats against his mother with claims that his family was being monitored.
Local resident Viktoria Ivasyshyna recounted hearing a loud explosion that sharply awakened her, recognizing immediately that it was not an accident. Police report that the injuries sustained by the officers are not life-threatening. This incident adds to a growing list of similar attacks in Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict, raising concerns about security and domestic terrorism.
Police arrested a 21-year-old local resident who they say was recruited online to carry out the two explosions. Authorities did not specify the platform for recruitment, but sources mentioned that it was done through the online game World of Tanks.
The suspect allegedly sought financial gain, claiming he was promised 25,000 hryvnyas (approximately £450 or $570) for each blast. The Ukrainian security service SBU has labeled him a Russian agent, although police are still investigating the actual origins of the recruitment.
In recordings, the suspect argued that he was blackmailed into planting the explosives, citing threats against his mother with claims that his family was being monitored.
Local resident Viktoria Ivasyshyna recounted hearing a loud explosion that sharply awakened her, recognizing immediately that it was not an accident. Police report that the injuries sustained by the officers are not life-threatening. This incident adds to a growing list of similar attacks in Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict, raising concerns about security and domestic terrorism.
