(MENAFN- UkrinForm) The press service of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office announced this on Telegram, according to Ukrinform.

Investigators said the student of a local technical college had found an offer of "easy money" in a Telegram channel – to carry out an arson attack for a cash reward. During the exchange of messages, he reportedly received detailed instructions on how to complete the "task."

On the evening of November 7, 2025, at around 22:30, the teenager approached one of the locomotives at the Osnova railway depot in Kharkiv and poured a flammable mixture over it. After making sure there was enough of the liquid on the vehicle, he ignited it with a lighter. He filmed the fire to send video evidence as a "report" confirming the completed task, prosecutors said.

The suspect fled the scene but was later detained. He has been charged with intentional destruction of property by arson (Part 2, Article 194 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and was remanded in custody.

According to the prosecutor's office, the fire caused damage to the state rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia, with the total amount of losses yet to be determined.

Law enforcement officials are investigating all circumstances of the case and are examining possible involvement of Russian intelligence services in organizing the crime. The suspect's actions may later be reclassified as sabotage under Article 113 of the Criminal Code.

Authorities are also checking whether the teenager was involved in setting fire to a military vehicle in Kharkiv earlier this month. The investigation is ongoing.

Photos: Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office

MENAFN10112025000193011044ID1110323616