Officials report that security services detained several individuals in Kherson who had previously served in the Ukrainian interior ministry’s special unit known as Kord. The detention occurred during targeted operations focused on curbing illicit activity linked to armed groups operating in the region. The agency cited law enforcement sources confirming the arrests and noting that the detainees were linked to a clandestine cache of weapons and explosives uncovered in the area. Related reports are attributed to Interfax.
According to the agency, investigators recovered more than 50 firearms from the stash, including models manufactured abroad, along with a sizable stock of ammunition, grenades, and improvised explosive devices. After interrogations, authorities located the hidden cache and seized the arsenal. The officials emphasized that the items were placed there with the apparent aim of facilitating violent acts or destabilizing security operations in the region.
One law enforcement representative described the seized materials as a potential toolkit for sabotage and terror activities, noting that the case underscores ongoing attempts to equip criminal networks with weapons. The discovery prompted a broader review of security protocols and ongoing efforts to dismantle networks suspected of planning destabilizing actions during a period of heightened tension in the area.
In a separate development, security forces operating in the Kherson region uncovered what authorities described as one of the largest sabotage cells encountered in recent times. This group allegedly planned a campaign that included the use of 48 kilograms of TNT to target critical infrastructure, specifically aiming to disrupt railway operations. The investigation indicated that the sabotage cell remained under the supervision of officials from the Security Service of Ukraine, with connections traced to operatives based in Odessa. The revelation has sparked further inquiries into the chain of command and the extent of external influence on local sabotage plots.
Officials stressed that the combined actions against the detainees and the sabotage network reflect ongoing, coordinated efforts by security bodies to prevent violent acts and to disrupt organized criminal networks that threaten public safety. The case illustrates how seized weapons and explosives can illuminate broader patterns of coordination, funding, and operational planning among groups seeking to destabilize the region. Ongoing investigative work aims to map out the full scope of the networks involved, identify potential collaborators, and assess any cross-border links that may exist. Attribution for the information is provided by Interfax and corroborated by multiple law enforcement statements as the investigation proceeds.