---
title: "SBU foils terrorist attack in the center of Rivne: Russian Federation courier-agent plants improvised explosive device near a government building"
description: "SBU counterintelligence foiled a terrorist attack in the center of Rivne: a courier recruited by Russian intelligence services was detained after planting an improvised explosive device near a government building. The man faces up to 12 years of imprisonment."
date: 2026-09-23T08:44:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/sbu-foils-terrorist-attack-in-center-of-rivne-rf-courier-agent
tags: [sbu, rovno, terrorism, russia-intelligence, ukraine-security, counterintelligence]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# SBU foils terrorist attack in the center of Rivne: Russian Federation courier-agent plants improvised explosive device near a government building

![SBU special forces operatives in camouflage with rifles after thwarting a terror plot in central Rivne](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/23/sbu-predotvratila-terakt-v-tsentre-rovno-kuryer-agent-rf/sbu-predotvratila-terakt-v-tsentre-rovno-kuryer-agent-rf-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- SBU foiled a terrorist attack in the center of Rivne by detaining a Russian Federation agent who planted an improvised explosive device in a trash bin near a government building
- The detainee was a delivery service courier recruited through Telegram channels and used a moped to scout facilities
- The man faces up to 12 years of imprisonment; an additional qualification as treason is under consideration
- On the same day, the SBU reported a second interception of an enemy reactive target by a Ukrainian interceptor drone within one day

The counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine in Rivne Oblast thwarted the preparation of a terrorist act in the center of the city of Rivne. According to the investigation, a Russian agent planted a remote-activated improvised explosive device in a trash bin located directly next to the administrative building of a government institution. Law enforcement officers detained the suspect at the moment he was trying to leave the scene of the suspected terrorist attack, after which the explosive device was seized and defused. The operation was carried out by SBU officers in Rivne Oblast under the procedural supervision of the regional prosecutor's office.

### How the explosion was planned and the courier's role

The investigation established that the detainee worked as a courier for a local delivery service, which allowed him to move freely around the city and gather intelligence. Riding a moped around Rivne, the man photographed the territories and parking lots near government facilities, selecting the optimal location for a future explosion. He systematically sent the photographic materials to his Russian curator via a messenger. After receiving the coordinates of a dead drop, the agent retrieved a remote-activated improvised explosive device from it and hid it in a trash bin next to the administrative building. The activation of the explosion was planned for the hours of greatest concentration of citizens, which would have allowed the Russian side to inflict maximum damage on the civilian population and destabilize the situation in the border region.

### Recruitment mechanism and links with Russian intelligence services

According to the investigation, the suspect was recruited by Russian intelligence services through Telegram channels, where he was looking for a way to earn money quickly. It was through the messenger that he maintained contact with his curator from the Russian Federation: he sent photographs of facilities, coordinates, and reports on the work done. During the search, officers found a phone on the detainee containing photographs of government facilities, as well as correspondence with a Russian intelligence officer confirming the nature of their interaction. These materials became key evidence in the case.

### Legal consequences for the detainee

The man was notified of suspicion under the articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine on the attempt to commit a terrorist act. At present, he is in custody without the right of bail. The maximum penalty under this article provides for up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property. In addition, the investigation is considering the additional qualification of his actions as treason, which may significantly increase the possible term of punishment.

### Broader context: interception of a reactive target

On the same day, September 23, 2026, the SBU reported another successful interception of an enemy reactive target using a Ukrainian interceptor drone. According to the President of Ukraine, this is already the second such result of the SBU's military counterintelligence in one day. The combination of these events underscores the active work of Ukrainian intelligence services in both counterintelligence and military-operational directions amid the ongoing conflict.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [SBU foils terrorist attack in the center of Rivne: Russian Federation agent detained](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/sbu-zapobigla-teraktu-tsentri-rivnogo-zatrimano-1790152838.html) - Подтверждает факт предотвращения теракта, задержание агента РФ, местоположение в центре Ровно.
- [SBU detains Russian Federation agent who planted explosives near a government institution in the center ...](https://ua.news/ru/war-vs-rf/sbu-zatrimala-agenta-rf-iakii-zaklav-vibukhivku-bilia-derzhustanovi-u-tsentri-rivnogo) - Подтверждает детали: взрывчатка возле госучреждения, центр Ровно, задержание.
- [SBU foils terrorist attack in the center of Rivne](https://ru.slovoidilo.ua/2026/09/23/novost/bezopasnost/sbu-predotvratila-terakt-centre-rovno) - Дата публикации 23.09.2026 подтверждает актуальность. Детали совпадают с основным текстом.
- [Courier was preparing a terrorist attack in the center of Rivne](https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/4914102-kurer-hotovyl-terakt-v-tsentre-rovno) - Подтверждает роль курьера в подготовке теракта, детали операции.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Where exactly in Rivne was the explosive device planted?
**A:** The improvised explosive device was hidden in a trash bin located next to the administrative building of a government institution in the center of Rivne. The exact name of the institution is not disclosed in open sources.

### Q: How was the detainee recruited?
**A:** According to the investigation, the man was looking for a way to earn money quickly through Telegram channels, where he was recruited by Russian intelligence services. Contact with the curator was maintained via a messenger.

### Q: Which articles of the Criminal Code have been brought against the detainee?
**A:** The man was notified of suspicion under the articles on the attempt to commit a terrorist act. In addition, the investigation is considering the additional qualification of his actions as treason.

### Q: What is the maximum term the detainee faces?
**A:** Under the article on the attempt to commit a terrorist act, he faces up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property. With an additional qualification as treason, the term may be increased.