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Investigation into Russian-orchestrated arson attacks leads to Russian terrorist threats in Ukraine

Hundreds of Ukrainian institutions evacuated after receiving terrorist threats via email after RFE/RL’s investigation exposed Russian intelligence recruitment of Ukrainians for arson attacks on military vehicles.
byYuri Zoria
15/10/2024
2 minute read
investigation russian-orchestrated arson attacks leads russian terrorist threats ukraine illustration rfe/rl skhemy project's showed how intelligence services recruit ukrainians including minors set fire cars ukrainian military
Illustration by RFE/RL for the Skhemy project’s investigation that showed how Russian intelligence services recruit Ukrainians, including minors, to set fire to the cars of the Ukrainian military.
Investigation into Russian-orchestrated arson attacks leads to Russian terrorist threats in Ukraine

Hundreds of Ukrainian organizations, including schools, businesses, embassies, and media outlets, were evacuated on 14 October 2024 following the receipt of threatening emails claiming terrorist bomb attacks, according to RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service.

The threats reportedly came in the wake of an investigation by RFE/RL‘s Ukrainian Service’s project Skhemy that exposed how Russian intelligence services recruit Ukrainians, including minors, to set fire to vehicles belonging to Ukrainian military officials and representatives of conscription centers. The threatening emails specifically blamed RFE/RL journalists behind the investigation for the alleged planned bombings.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry reported that 60 of its missions abroad had received the threatening email, with some suspending consular services as a result. The National Police of Ukraine conducted searches at numerous locations, including RFE/RL’s office in Kyiv, but reported finding no explosive devices after inspecting approximately 60% of the threatened sites by late 14 October.

The threatening email specifically mentioned RFE/RL journalists Iryna Sysak, Valeria Yehoshyna, and freelancer Yulia Khymeryk, blaming them for the alleged planned bombings. These journalists were part of the Skhemy investigative unit that published the report on Russian recruitment efforts.

RFE/RL President Stephen Capus addressed the situation, stating,

“We will not be intimidated and stand behind our reporters who will continue to bring news to Ukrainian audiences without fear or favor.”

The Skhemy investigative team discovered that the sender of the threatening email shares a name with an individual residing in Russian-occupied Crimea who possesses a Russian passport.

Artem Dekhtyarenko, spokesman for the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), commented on the situation, saying that Russia was attempting to make it appear as though arson attacks were being carried out by ordinary Ukrainians when in fact they were instigated by Russian security services.

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