Ukrainian unit arrested in LPR planned to target kindergarten

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The Lugansk People's Republic's law enforcement agencies apprehended a "reconnaissance and sabotage group" of the Ukrainian Armed Forces plotting "terrorist attacks" in the region's frontlines, the State Security Ministry (MGB) claimed in a statement on Saturday.

Additionally, the statement noted that the group's objective was to target "civilian infrastructure," such as kindergartens. Local law enforcement personnel are still investigating the scheme and identifying other potential individuals, according to the MGB.

The security service also published a video clearly showing one of the cell's detained members admitting the unit was ordered to mine a bridge and "some facilities" that "turned out to be kindergartens."

The man's identity was not made public, and his face was obscured in the video.

Meanwhile, officials in Kherson Region, which borders Crimea, stated that a terrorist attack on a local administration office had been foiled. According to Kherson's emergency services, the local security forces "discovered and defused an improvised shrapnel-filled explosive device" with a yield comparable to about 1kg of TNT. The local authorities provided no more information regarding the incident.

Russia's State Duma: Crimea Bridge blast "declaration of war"

On the same day of the arrest, Ukraine targeted the Crimea bridge. In response to the blast, Russia’s State Duma considered that "the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge is no longer just a challenge, but a declaration of war without rules."

Speaking to RIA Novosti, Russian Deputy Oleg Morozov said that the explosion showcases that "a blatant terrorist war is being waged against us," adding that if there is no "adequate" response, such acts of aggression would be more likely to occur.

It is noteworthy that on several previous occasions, Ukrainian authorities have promised to attack the Kerch Bridge which connects the Crimean Peninsula to the Krasnodar Region in Russia.

In August, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the country will return to "Russian-occupied Crimea" in whatever way it sees fit, without consulting with other countries, Ukrinform reported.

"We know what we are doing. We know where military facilities or warehouses are located in the temporarily occupied territories. The Ukrainian military can work there according to the plan," he added.

Commenting on whether Crimea can return to Ukraine's control politically and diplomatically or with military assistance, Zelensky said, "We do not choose which way we will put an end to this issue."

Read more: Reaction to Crimea blast exhibits Kiev's "terrorist nature": Zakharova