MINSK, 16 February (BelTA) – Members of a sabotage and reconnaissance group were detained during a KGB operation in the border area, BelTA learned from the State Security Committee.
On the night of 14-15 February, a group of people illegally crossed the state border of Belarus from the territory of Ukraine and entered Lelchitsy District. Some of them were detained during a manhunt.
The detainees carried explosive devices and other weapons. A decision was made to introduce a counter-terrorist operation regime on the territory of Lelchitsy District. The area was sealed off. The KGB conducted a military operation in the border area that resulted in detaining members of the sabotage and reconnaissance group that included citizens of Ukraine, Belarus and their accomplices.
Among the detainees were Ukrainian citizens Sergei Kabarchuk and his son Pavel. Sergei Kabarchuk (nicknamed Butler), born in 1963, resident of Kovel District, Volyn Oblast, served at the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. After his dismissal, he was engaged in smuggling together with his sons Bogdan, born in 1997, and Pavel, born in 1993 (nicknamed Small Butlers). Belarus’ citizen Vitaly Vlasyuk, born in 1970, resident of Brest, was also detained.
The explosive devices that the members of the sabotage and reconnaissance group carried were intended for committing terrorist acts, primarily on the territory of Russia and Belarus. It was established that the sabotage and reconnaissance group was sent to Belarus by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Its employees jointly with the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine conducted additional reconnaissance of the area before deployment. The explosive devices were given to the members of the group right before crossing the Belarusian border.
In the course of the counter-terrorist operation (CTO), Ukraine conducted active air and ground reconnaissance in the area of the CTO. The Ukrainian special services tried to establish the circumstances of the failure of the sabotage and reconnaissance group and take measures to neutralize the negative consequences for Ukraine.
Criminal cases have been opened against the detainees under Article 13 and Article 289 (preparation of an act of terrorism), Article 358-1 (undercover activities) of the Criminal Code. Investigative actions are ongoing. The members of the group detained in Lelchitsy District and their accomplices are cooperating with the investigation.
More details will be provided later.
