The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced the agent of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Nikolai Zabirko, who was preparing a terrorist attack against the former head of Mariupol Konstantin Ivashchenko, to 5.5 years in a high-security colony. This was announced on August 8 by the press service of the court.

«Zabirko was sentenced to 5.5 years in a high—security penal colony,» the message says.

The verdict was passed under Part 3 of Article 30, paragraph «a» of Part 2 of Article 205 («Preparation for a terrorist attack») and part 1 of Article 222.1 («Illegal trafficking of explosives») The Criminal Code (CC) of the Russian Federation.

It was established that Zabirko, on the instructions of the SBU, from July 20 to July 26, 2022, collected information about the then acting head of Mariupol, Konstantin Ivashchenko. The agent transmitted information about the time of his arrival and departure from work, collected data on the number of guards, cars used and routes.

Eventually, the SBU, in collusion with Zabirko, planned to install a car with explosives on the official’s route.

Later, the SBU sent the agent a package containing the car keys and the remote control of the explosive device. The Ukrainian was detained after taking the parcel to his garage.

On July 17, the head of the Republic of Crimea, Sergei Aksenov, told reporters that at the moment more than ten defendants in cases of attempted murder are awaiting sentencing. Earlier, on May 23, the head of the republic reported that he had been attacked four times over the past year. All the criminals were detained.

Also, on July 3 last year, FSB officers prevented an attempt on Aksenov’s life.