Conviction for Arson Targeting Ukrzaliznytsia Relay Cabinet
In Kyiv, two young men have been convicted for setting fire to a relay cabinet belonging to Ukrzaliznytsia, an act classified as sabotage carried out by an organized group. The Dniprovskyi District Court found the defendants guilty, handing down a 15-year prison sentence with asset forfeiture to one, and a 10-year sentence without asset seizure to the other, who was a minor at the time of the offense.
Details of the Incident
The crime occurred in September 2024 near the Darnytsia station. The accused, aged 20 and 19, had been seeking temporary work through Telegram, where they were offered $100 to set fire to either military vehicles or Ukrzaliznytsia relay cabinets. One of the men purchased a flammable liquid and doused the relay cabinet, while the other assisted and recorded the fire on video. This footage was sent to their handler via Telegram. After completing the task, the perpetrators received payment of 92 USDT transferred to their cryptocurrency wallet.
The suspects were apprehended in February 2025 following a change in their residences. Both remain in custody as the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office continues to oversee the case.
This case highlights the risks posed by the exploitation of modern technologies, including social media platforms and cryptocurrencies, in facilitating criminal activities.
Sabotage targeting critical infrastructure not only endangers the accused but also threatens public safety and the uninterrupted operation of essential government services.