A terrorist attack occurred near a shopping center in the Zhytomyr region: details and media coverage available (photos, videos).

On the afternoon of December 24, a terrorist attack occurred near the TCK building in the Zhytomyr region. Law enforcement has already apprehended the suspects.

This information was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing the National Police of Ukraine and the SBU.

According to reports, the police received information about the incident around 3:30 PM from the duty officer of the local TCK. Investigative teams from the regional police and the Berdychiv district police department, as well as explosives experts and forensic specialists, were working at the scene.

At the site of the incident, police discovered a bag containing a homemade explosive device filled with shrapnel made from metal balls, along with a mobile phone.

"Fortunately, it did not detonate. In addition, law enforcement found a phone that likely facilitated a video broadcast and other pieces of evidence," - the police statement says.

Law enforcement apprehended suspects involved in the terrorist attack near the TCK in the Zhytomyr region (npu.gov.ua)

Arrest of the Main Suspect

A special police operation was immediately launched in the region to capture the suspects. Law enforcement from neighboring regions were also notified about the manhunt.

"Just a few hours later, one of the suspects was detained in Zhytomyr - a 41-year-old man with a prior criminal record for drug offenses and theft, originally from the Donetsk region," - police reported.

The patrol officers arrested him on a minibus heading to Kyiv.

The Suspect Did Not Act Alone

Later, law enforcement established that he was assisted by a 23-year-old resident of Berdychiv, who had come to the attention of authorities for drug-related crimes.

"She was the one who handed the explosive device to the man. She was located and apprehended. According to available information, the accomplices organized the attack under the guidance of Russian handlers," - the agency noted.

Law enforcement apprehended suspects involved in the terrorist attack near the TCK in the Zhytomyr region (t.me/SBUkr/13649)

After meeting with his accomplice, as written by the SBU, the perpetrator concealed the explosive device in a bag and left it at the door of the TCK. After moving to a "safe" distance, the terrorist remotely detonated it using a mobile phone and a homemade electric detonator attached to the explosives.

"For accountability to his handler, the man had previously set up a mobile phone hidden in a box across from the TCK, which transmitted the explosion in real-time. Fortunately, as a result of the incident, no one was harmed," - the special service noted.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by investigators from the SBU in the Zhytomyr region under Part 2 of Article 258 (Terrorist Act) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The issue of applying a preventive measure for the accomplices is currently being resolved. Such a crime is punishable by imprisonment for a term of 7 to 12 years.

Not the First Attempt of a Terrorist Attack by Russia in Ukraine

As reported, in October, SBU detained agents of the Russian intelligence service who were preparing a terrorist attack in Kyiv.

Two Russian agents were arrested. According to the SBU counterintelligence, the occupiers aimed for the maximum number of casualties.