At first sight, it resembles a lump of beige dough filled with metal nuts, bolts, and nails – akin to a peculiar fruitcake creation. However, upon closer inspection of the police image, it becomes evident that this is a typical improvised explosive device (IED) intended for placement at a military center in Kyiv, as stated by Ukrainian authorities.
During the conflict in Afghanistan, the Canadian Forces encountered similar types of IEDs along roadsides and in the paths of armored convoys. In this instance, the discovery took place in the Ukrainian capital, involving a local teenager instead of the Taliban.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported that this incident was one of many involving civilians recruited online by Russian agents. These individuals were tasked with covertly planting the bomb near a military facility for remote detonation. The teenager involved was apprehended in May.
According to Steven Rai, a digital research analyst at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, Russia is exploiting vulnerable individuals in need of money to carry out such attacks. Regardless of age or background, Russia is recruiting people to engage in these dangerous activities.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has escalated into a “meat grinder,” with shadow wars intensifying between the Kremlin and Kyiv. Incidents like IEDs in Kyiv have become more frequent, alongside covert assassinations, railway sabotage, car bombs, and the involvement of designated terrorist groups, reminiscent of the global war on terror.
In a daring move, Ukrainian special forces executed Operation Spider’s Web, infiltrating deep into Russia with kamikaze drones to target a Russian strategic bomber fleet. Meanwhile, Russian espionage activities in Ukraine involve the recruitment of civilians through encrypted apps like Telegram for acts of insurgency.
To combat these threats, the SBU launched an educational campaign called “Burn the FSB Man” to raise awareness, targeting particularly vulnerable Ukrainian teens. The SBU has thwarted multiple IED attacks and other violent acts orchestrated by Kremlin spies across the country.
Despite efforts to counter Russian espionage, some plots go undetected. The Base, a neo-Nazi terrorist group, claimed involvement in the assassination of a top-ranking SBU colonel. The group’s presence in Ukraine, particularly its Ukrainian cell, has raised concerns among counterterrorism experts.
The conflict has spilled over into mainland Russia, with Ukrainian operatives engaging in sabotage activities. The Rukh Oporu, a state-sponsored resistance movement, operates within occupied Ukrainian territories, disrupting Russian military operations and targeting Russian soldiers.
As the conflict escalates, the hope for a just resolution remains. The Ukrainian officer leading the Rukh Oporu believes that they are not only fighting for their nation but also for Europe and a world where peace prevails without encroachment on others’ lives or lands.
