11 July 2014
Russian state intelligence agencies created a saboteur network to take over the local government in Odesa and declare an Odesa People’s Republic, reported on July 10 the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), citing the testimony of two arrested saboteurs who admitted the information. They were Russian citizen Aleksandr Yakimenko and Ukrainian citizen Yuriy Trofimov. The network involved up to 50 saboteurs, each with a designated role in the planned revolt. The plan included taking control of local state bodies, committing acts against state officials and foreigners, provoke conflicts between local residents, as well as targeting key life-sustaining infrastructure sites for sabotage. SBU agents searched their residences and confiscated firearms and pneumatic pistols, Russian recommendations on reconnaissance preparation; detailed maps indicating key strategic and military sites; lists of local separatists, their assignments and expenses; and information on security systems and local leaders.
Zenon Zawada: The evidence suggests the Russian government hasn’t given up on its aims of destabilizing Ukraine, aiming for cities where residents have the highest sympathies for Russia. We expect such attempts to continue indefinitely until the Ukrainian government develops systemic methods of preventing the easy infiltration of Ukraine by Russian agents and weapons. A recent proposal to build a wall on the Russian-Ukrainian border would serve to achieve that goal.