“Enigma 2.0”: Moldova exposes Russian spy network that prepared contract killings of Ukrainian figures
Law enforcement officers of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova have exposed and stopped the activities of an intelligence and combat group that, at the request of the Russian special services, was planning the assassinations of media, political and military figures in Ukraine. The organizer and members of the network were detained and charged under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
This is reported by the National Police.
According to the investigation, to carry out tasks, the Russian special services recruited Moldovan citizens, who were sent to Ukraine to carry out targeted liquidations. In Ukraine, they collected information about potential “objects”, including places of residence and work, travel routes, places of stay, and also worked out methods of committing murders.
Among the people who were planned to be eliminated:
- a well-known journalist, included in the Russian Federation’s list of “extremists” and wanted;
- one of the heads of a state strategic enterprise;
- active servicemen of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, in particular soldiers of the Foreign Legion of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine;
- military personnel of the SSO;
- A public activist from the Russian Federation who took a pro-Ukrainian position.
According to law enforcement officials, the high-profile murders were intended to sow fear, demoralize society, and destabilize the internal situation in Ukraine.
The group was organized by a 34-year-old Moldovan citizen who had previously served a sentence in the Russian Federation, where he was recruited by special services. After returning to Moldova, he supported a pro-Russian group whose activities were aimed at destabilizing the country and organizing mass protests in 2022-2023.
The figurehead formed a hierarchical structure and involved compatriots under the age of 25. They recruited young men, including those who studied at military educational institutions, provided their transportation to Ukraine, settlement, financing, and legend-making.
Some of the participants, disguised as couriers, monitored the “objects”, took photos and videos, and collected information about the daily routine and security level. Others were responsible for purchasing weapons, organizing hiding places, and preparing methods for liquidation.
Communication between the participants was carried out through closed communication channels, and money transfers were made through crypto wallets. For the execution of contract killings, the Russian special services promised a reward of hundreds of thousands of dollars. In particular, for the elimination of a career officer of the GUR of the Ministry of Defense, they promised $100,000.
Thus, on February 19, law enforcement officers conducted a coordinated special operation in Ukraine and Moldova. In Moldova, the group’s curator and individuals involved in the spy network were detained.
In Ukraine, searches were conducted simultaneously in Kyiv and Odessa. Communication equipment, weapons, equipment and other physical evidence were seized, and members of the group were detained. The Prosecutor General’s Office is responsible for the procedural management of the criminal proceedings. All activities within the framework of the special operation were carried out under the auspices of Europol and Interpol.
We will remind you that the head of the National Police, Ivan Vyhivskyi, informed that in the Cherkasy region , four police officers died during the detention of a murder suspect. Another law enforcement officer was injured.
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