Ukrainian Teen Arrested After Disguising as Granny to Plant Bomb

A 19-year-old Ukrainian man was arrested after allegedly disguising himself as an elderly woman to plant a bomb under a car belonging to a Russian defense official. The incident occurred on September 18, 2023, and was captured on video by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), which claims to have dismantled a Ukrainian spy network.

According to the FSB, the suspect donned women’s clothing to conceal his identity while approaching a black SUV thought to belong to a prominent figure in Russia’s defense industry. The footage shows the disguised individual bending down to place a rectangular bomb beneath the vehicle. Following this act, he was apprehended by security personnel shortly after leaving the scene.

Investigators allege that the individual acted under the direction of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. The FSB released additional clips showing the suspect planting the explosive device and then being tackled by authorities.

In a confession reported by state media, the suspect claimed he was recruited by Ukrainian intelligence. “I went, picked up the package [in a cemetery], a black power bank-shaped device with magnets,” he is quoted as saying. He indicated that he was given precise instructions, including photographs of the vehicle’s location, and that he traveled by public transport to Sosnovka Park to change into his disguise at around 04:00 local time.

The FSB has indicated that all individuals involved in this operation, including the suspect, could face serious charges under Russia’s terrorism laws, potentially leading to life imprisonment. The ages of the other suspects, identified in reports as being born in 1993, 1994, and 2006, suggest a coordinated effort among multiple operatives.

This incident unfolds against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, particularly following the recent allegations of poisoning against opposition leader Alexei Navalny. His wife, Yulia Navalnaya, has stated that new evidence supports claims of poisoning while he was imprisoned in a Russian facility, further complicating the already strained relations between the two nations.

As investigations continue, the situation reflects the ongoing conflict and the lengths to which individuals may go amid the tensions surrounding national security and espionage.