Law enforcement officers have detained and reported suspicion to four minors who, on instructions from the Russian Federation, committed a terrorist attack in Mykolaiv, during which three soldiers were killed, and a woman who brought explosives also died on the spot.

The message of the National Police of Ukraine posted on the website on Wednesday notes that at about 14:00 on February 14, special line 102 received a message about an explosion in a public place, as a result of which people were killed and injured.

"During the day, after conducting the search activities, law enforcement officers established that residents of Poltava region were involved in the terrorist attack: four minors from 14 to 17 years old and a 42-year-old woman," the National Police said.

According to the police, minors and a woman were recruited by the special services of the Russian Federation in one of the popular messengers.

"In accordance with the instructions of the curator, the underage defendants made an improvised explosive device, put it in a backpack and gave it to a 42-year-old accomplice. She was the perpetrator of the crime and was supposed to receive a reward for allegedly transferring a ‘large amount of money’ near a catering establishment in Mykolaiv," the report says.

The police clarified that the woman came to the city to complete the task with her minor son. Arriving at the location, she kept in touch with the curator of the special services of the Russian Federation and, on their orders, approached a group of military personnel. After that, the improvised explosive device was activated remotely via a call on a mobile phone.

As a result of the explosion, she and three soldiers were killed, and seven more citizens were hospitalized with injuries of varying severity.

Law enforcement officers, under the procedural guidance of Mykolaiv regional prosecutor's office. detained four minors at their place of residence.

During the searches, employees of the Security Service of Ukraine and the police of Mykolaiv and Poltava regions seized mobile phones, which contain evidence of contacts with the special services of the Russian Federation. Law enforcement officers also seized tools and components for making improvised explosive devices.

The detainees have now been informed of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 28, Part 3 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (a terrorist act committed by prior agreement by a group of persons, which led to the death of people). The underage malefactors are already kept in custody.

According to the sanction of the incriminated article, the suspects face up to 15 years in prison.