Putin wanted to create quasi-republics in western regions of Ukraine/Getty Images
Russian intelligence Since the summer of 2021, they have been preparing to create their own quasi-republics in Western Ukraine. The Security Service thwarted the enemy's intentions.
The occupants' plan failed
One of the members of the group cooperated with the investigation. He said that the group began work to overthrow the constitutional order last year.
The man was contacted by a retired Russian intelligence officer who was the organizer of the scheme. The Russian announced his intention to create a new democracy in Ukraine. The group was supposed to switch to a power scenario if the current government “didn't resign itself.”
To seize power, the group had to recruit 500 militants, preferably from former ATO servicemen , and provide them with weapons,” the SBU said.
The attackers had to implement their plan simultaneously with the start of the war. However, the organizer and key persons were detained in early March by Ukrainian law enforcement officers. They were hiding in the Ivano-Frankivsk and Khmelnitsky regions.
One of the accomplices admitted his guilt and testified against the organizer. The materials concerning him were sent to the court.
