Thought she was working for Ukrainian special services: Odessa resident faces 15 years in prison for attempted murder of Sergei Sternenko (updated)

The attacker of activist Sergei Sternenko faces up to 15 years in custody.

The detained 45-year-old resident of Odessa region, who moved to the capital for surveillance, was reported by the Security Service of Ukraine.

At the trial, she admitted her guilt and added that she would cooperate with the investigation, since she did not know that she was working for the FSB, but was sure that she was receiving instructions from the Ukrainian special service, the lawyer said. Moreover, the woman said that she fell in love with the recruiter, who promised in correspondence that he would help her get a kidney transplant.

But according to law enforcement, she was recruited when she was looking for quick money online. At first, she carried out technical tasks, photographed cars at the direction of her handlers and sent them all the information. Later, she began to receive more complex instructions, such as making a homemade explosive device.

Since mid-April, the woman began to follow Sergei Sternenko. She rented an apartment in the same residential complex. Later, Russian handlers gave her the coordinates of a hiding place where weapons were hidden – a PM pistol and cartridges.

On the morning of May 1, the detainee received an order to eliminate the activist . As soon as he left the building with his guards, she fired. One of the bullets hit his leg, but thanks to the SBU officers, the attacker was detained on the spot.

During a search of the apartment, law enforcement officers seized a telephone containing correspondence with Russian special services and components for explosives.

The woman is charged with high treason and attempted murder committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons.

According to Dumskaya, Sternenko is on the so-called “liquidation lists” of the Russian Federation (like the murdered Demyan Ganul ), which includes media and political figures in Ukraine who are not part of the current government. That is why the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) provided him with security, which probably prevented the tragedy.

UPDATED 2:40 PM: Court orders two-month remand for Sternenko attack suspect.
DEATH TO THE RUSSIAN OCCUPIERS!