Explosions in Ivano-Frankivsk: SBU exposes scheme of recruitment of teenagers by Russian special services
12 March 18:38
On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, two explosions occurred in Ivano-Frankivsk, killing one person and injuring three others. This incident attracted the attention of the public and law enforcement agencies, as it turned out that the explosions were organized by teenagers recruited by Russian special services, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports, citing the SBU’s official website.
The first explosion occurred at around 18:30 on Pryvokzalna Street, near the Ivano-Frankivsk railway station. The explosion killed a 17-year-old teenager and seriously injured his 15-year-old partner. In addition, two people who were near the scene, a 20-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, sustained shrapnel wounds. The explosion was powerful, and the consequences were quite devastating.
A few minutes later, a second explosion occurred in an apartment at 49 Zaliznychna Street. According to the investigation, the teenagers used this room to store the explosive devices prepared for the first attack. After the second device detonated, a massive fire broke out. Rescuers who arrived at the scene evacuated 15 people from nearby apartments and rescued four people trapped in their homes. The fire lasted for some time, but rescuers were able to eliminate the fire.
What are the details of the investigation and what is known about the recruitment of teenagers?
Investigators have concluded that Russian special services were behind the organization of these explosions and used two teenagers to commit the crime. According to the SBU, a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old were recruited through Russian Telegram channels, where they were offered to participate in the creation and installation of explosive devices disguised as thermoses. The teenagers did not realize the seriousness of their role.
However, during the transportation of one of the devices, it exploded, and the Russian curators remotely activated the bomb, which led to tragic consequences.
According to the investigation, the Russian handlers used the teenagers as “pawns” in their criminal scheme and then tried to kill them to hide their involvement. This scheme is part of a broader strategy of Russian agents, who, according to the SBU, are actively using such methods to initiate terrorist acts and wage a hybrid war against Ukraine.
After the second explosion in an apartment used to store explosives, a 15-year-old teenager who survived the explosion became a suspect in aiding and abetting the terrorist attack and illegal manufacture of explosive devices. An active investigation is currently underway to find out all the details of his involvement in the preparation of the terrorist attack.
As part of the investigation, law enforcement agencies are also checking the involvement of two 15-year-old girls who may have been involved in the preparation of the explosions. This may indicate a wider network of recruitment and use of minors for terrorist activities.
How do Russian special services recruit teenagers?
This incident has drawn attention not only to a specific terrorist attack, but also to the general methods of work of Russian special services. The SBU and other law enforcement agencies of Ukraine began to actively investigate the use of teenagers as agents for terrorist purposes. An important point is that minors were recruited through social media.
Russian special services used Telegram channels as a recruitment platform, which confirms the danger of unauthorized access via the Internet, where teenagers can be trapped without proper control. At the same time, as this case showed, these teenagers became victims of manipulation by more experienced agents, not realizing the seriousness of the consequences of their actions.
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Therefore, the SBU calls on citizens to be more vigilant about any suspicious offers received via the Internet and social networks. Calls for terrorist activity can come from various sources, and it is especially important to pay attention to inexperienced and vulnerable teenagers who may become victims of manipulation. The authorities also emphasize the importance of cooperation with NGOs and parents to prevent such incidents.
