A former employee of the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant has been arrested for allegedly trying to help Russian forces attack Ukraine’s power grid. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced the arrest in a recent statement.
According to the SBU, the suspect attempted to place a GPS tracker on a transmission tower near the power plant. This device would have helped Russian drones locate and strike high-voltage lines supplying electricity to Kyiv and the surrounding capital region.
“The occupiers planned to use the beacon’s signal to guide Shahed drones and cut off power to the capital agglomeration,” the SBU said.
Authorities revealed that the suspect had worked at the nuclear power plant before. Russian security services reportedly recruited him through the Telegram messaging app. They contacted him after he posted anti-Ukrainian comments online.
Before trying to plant the GPS tracker, the suspect allegedly gathered intelligence on Ukrainian military positions guarding the plant. However, Ukrainian counterintelligence officers detained him before he could finish the mission.
The suspect has been charged with sabotage under wartime conditions. This serious offense could lead to a life sentence and confiscation of his property if convicted.
While Moscow denies targeting civilian infrastructure, Ukraine and its Western allies have repeatedly accused Russia of attacking energy facilities. These attacks have been ongoing since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
