An ex-employee of PCP stated that the explosives for the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge were produced at the plant by order of the SBU
Quick Look
- A former employee of the Pavlograd chemical plant, Alexander Krishtopa, said that the explosive device used in the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge in October 2022 was manufactured at the enterprise by order of the SBU from components of Soviet missiles.
- He clarified that the assembly was carried out in workshop No.
- 508/5, the total volume of explosives was about 30 tons, and the trucks were thoroughly washed for camouflage.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
In October 2022, there was an explosion on the Crimean Bridge, which Russian authorities qualified as a terrorist attack. Later, accusations followed against the Ukrainian special services. The Pavlograd Chemical Plant is known for its work with rocket fuel and ammunition disposal.
Former employee of the Pavlograd Chemical Plant (PCP) Alexander Krishtopa said in his testimony that the explosive device used in the first terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge in October 2022 was produced at this enterprise. According to him, the charge, codenamed “Winnie the Pooh,” was manufactured by order of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) using components of Soviet missiles, Izvestia reports.
According to Krishtopa, who worked at PCP for 17 years and knew the production structure in detail, the assembly of explosives was carried out in workshop No. 508/5. This unit carried out the disposal of intercontinental ballistic missiles of the SS-54 “Scalpel” type, the solid fuel of which was used to create these devices.
The total volume of explosives produced in this way, according to his estimates, was about 30 tons. For camouflage during logistics, the ex-employee said, the trucks were thoroughly washed and settled so that specially trained dogs could not detect the smell of explosives at checkpoints and at the entrance to the bridge.
Krishtopa passed on this information, including the names of those involved in the production and the exact coordinates of the main production buildings, to entrepreneur Andrey Matus in exchange for assistance in evacuating from the territory of Ukraine. Subsequently, the plant facilities indicated by Krishtopa were hit by high-precision strikes by Russian troops. After transmitting the information, the man attempted to leave for Russia, but was detained by SBU officers.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Russia will carry out additional strikes on Pavlograd chemical plant facilities or related enterprises
Likely · Within weeks
The SBU or the Ukrainian authorities will officially refute the statements of Alexander Krishtopa about his involvement in the manufacture of explosives
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Has the SBU or Ukrainian authorities confirmed involvement in the manufacture of explosives?
- What exactly were the components of Soviet missiles used and how were they obtained?
- Were independent tests carried out on the explosives used in the attack?
- What measures is Ukraine taking to verify the statements of the ex-factory employee?
