Ukraine Says Russian-Linked Network Planned Killings and Sabotage Across EU

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the operation was carried out jointly with investigators from Ukraine’s National Police and law enforcement agencies in multiple European states.

Investigators said the network began operating in August 2024, with representatives of Russia’s special services directing activities from outside the EU and using controlled intermediaries to organize violent acts within the member states.

One of the primary targets was Lithuania, but investigators said the network’s activities extended beyond the country, including discussions of attacks on military and public figures in Ukraine and plans for sabotage and provocations across other EU states.

Prosecutors said suspects gathered intelligence on military facilities and equipment destined to Ukraine, considered arson attacks on infrastructure, and carried out sabotage at a military enterprise.

Citizens of Belarus, Georgia, Greece, Latvia, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine were also involved in various roles, including surveillance, recruitment of attackers, financing, logistics, and communications.

Funding for the operations was provided through channels controlled by Russian intelligence services, using forged documents and accounts registered under false identities to conceal the origin of the funds, prosecutors said.

Lithuanian authorities have issued suspicions against 13 individuals, detaining nine and issuing European arrest warrants for four others.

Three suspects arrested abroad have already been extradited to Lithuania, while two more transfers are currently pending.

International cooperation in the case is ongoing as investigators work to identify additional suspects and criminal episodes.

Ukrainian authorities emphasized that, under the country’s constitution, all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court.

Ukraine Says Russian-Linked Network Planned Killings and Sabotage Across EU

Summary

Evidence

Classification