Police report on Russia's attempts to destabilise Ukrainian society after terrorist attack in Dnipro – photos

Following the terrorist attack in Dnipro on 14 December, Andrii Niebytov, the deputy chief of the National Police and chief of the criminal police, has announced that it was an attempt by the Russians to weaken not only Ukraine’s security and defence forces, but also the whole of society and the state by carrying out information operations.

Source: Niebytov on Facebook

Quote: "The latest terrorist incident, this time in Dnipro, in which police and military personnel were injured, is not merely an echo of the front line. The Russians spare no resources in order to assassinate defenders and law enforcement personnel in the rear, but the enemy's aim is to weaken not only Ukrainian security and defence forces, but also the whole of society and the state.

By recruiting terrorist subversives from among traitor citizens, Russia is attempting to destabilise the situation within this country and to divide society. All of these bombings, arson attacks on cars, and the devastation of infrastructure are deliberate distractions that are reinforced by the enemy's information and psychological attacks aimed at discrediting the military and the entire law enforcement establishment."

Details: Niebytov criticised "experts" for spreading narratives such as the "300,000 police officers" [who purportedly stay behind and do not contribute to the war effort – ed.] and calls to "send them all [i.e. the police] to the front".

"Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and Chief of National Police Ivan Vyhivskyi have repeatedly stated that there are 100,000 police officers in Ukraine, and 10% of them are already fighting in the hottest spots of the front. Another 25%, which is about a quarter of the personnel, are serving in regions where hostilities are being conducted. At the same time, about 40-45% of police officers are involved in performing security and defence functions, namely combat missions, mine clearance, evacuating people from dangerous zones, and ensuring border security. In addition, we have the task of containing crime and maintaining law and order within the state. No one but the police will do that job," Niebytov said.

The deputy National Police chief emphasised that Russia is going to great lengths to construct the image it needs on social media.

"This fake reality is aimed at reducing, or even levelling, support for our defenders from society and destroying the law enforcement system," Niebytov said.

Niebytov also released photographs of a man who has been detained on suspicion of involvement in the terrorist attack, and photos of the scene.

Background:

• On the afternoon of 14 December, there was an explosion in the centre of the city of Dnipro. One person was killed and several injured, including two police officers.
• Dnipro police subsequently apprehended a man suspected of involvement in the attack in the city centre outside the military enlistment office, which killed one man and injured four people. Law enforcement officials revealed that the attacker had been acting on the orders of the Russian secret services. According to Ukrainska Pravda sources, the detained man is 37-year-old local resident Ruben Voskanian.
• In November, the police became aware of instances of sabotage targeting Ukrainian security officers, particularly involving explosives.

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