Odessa Arrests 'Putin' for Arson

A criminal gang has been detained in Odessa for a series of arson attacks. The leader of the group, known in the criminal community by the nickname 'Putin', along with six accomplices, has been accused of setting fires using pre-prepared tires and a mixture of fuel and lubricant. The defendants may spend the next ten years behind bars. This information was reported by Bessarabia INFORM, referencing the regional police department.

In November, four hired criminals set fire to car tires at the doors of two apartments in high-rise buildings in the city's Kyivskyi district. Residents of the buildings managed to extinguish the flames themselves and called the police. Law enforcement identified and detained them the following day in a rented apartment in Odessa. It turned out that three of them were residents of Kyiv and Kherson.

It has been revealed that the offenders acted on request and assigned roles among themselves to damage others' property. One acted as the driver, while two directly performed the arsons using prepared tires and a mixture of fuel and lubricant, filming the fire with a mobile phone to confirm the task. Another accomplice was monitoring the entrance and was to inform the group if any strangers appeared.

Police searched the attackers' rented apartment and their vehicle, seizing items of interest for the investigation. Among these were clothing, mobile phones with SIM cards, containers for fuel and lubricants, as well as debris from hand grenades. During the examination of the suspects’ mobile phones, a video of one of the arsons was found, sent via instant messenger to the organizer of the crime, who promised them four thousand dollars for their work.

A few days later, two other residents from the Kyiv region filled containers with flammable materials and set fire to the doors of apartments in high-rise buildings in the Primorsky and Kyivsky districts of Odessa. Fortunately, citizens noticed the fire in time and extinguished it. Law enforcement officers identified and detained the arsonists.

During the investigation, the police also discovered the identity of the arson organizer. It was revealed that he resides in the Kyiv region and is also known as 'Putin'. He sought out criminals, provided them with addresses, instructions, and advice on the mechanisms of carrying out the crimes.

The court has ordered pre-trial detention for all seven suspects, with the possibility of bail. Two of the arsonists have been released on bail, while four others, along with the organizer, remain in custody. Investigators are determining the motives behind the crime and other individuals involved in the series of arsons. The entire gang faces up to ten years in prison. The investigation is ongoing.