A Russian and a Belarusian, who were recruited by a Russian, recruited by a “Ukrainian intelligence officer,” were tried in Hrodna. According to the version of state TV channels, they planned to blow up the oil depot in Hrodna. Despite the fact that there was no explosion, they are accused of committing a terrorist act.
The court in Hrodna appointed Belarusian Vadim Patsenko and Russian Alexei Kulikov 21 and 23 years in prison, respectively, in the case of preparation for sabotage in Hrodna in 2023. They were found guilty under the articles on agent activity, terrorist act, act of international terrorism, state treason and incitement to hatred.
According to the investigation, the Russian allegedly on the “assignment of the Ukrainian security services” photographed Hrodna military recruitment center, military unit, as well as the Consulate General of the Russian Federation and the local oil depot, which was later to be blown up by Patsenko with the help of a drone and explosives.
According to the investigation, the activities of both convicts were supervised by St. Petersburg artist and activist Daniil Krinari, who was sentenced by the Moscow City Court in April 2024 in a case of “confidential cooperation with a special service of a foreign state”.
The trial of the men was held in closed mode, whether the convicts pleaded guilty is unknown. At the same time, pro-government TV channels say that Kulikov said his last word in Ukrainian, while Patsenko said “that his actions were politically motivated”.
