Georgia’s security forces have detained two individuals suspected of attempting to transport high-yield explosives across borders, with authorities alleging ties to Ukrainian intelligence and potential plans to destabilize regional operations. The suspects, both nationals of Ukraine, were apprehended near the Turkish border after a vehicle registered in their home country was intercepted during an inspection.
According to Georgia’s State Security Service (SSG), the detained individuals concealed 2.4 kilograms of hexogen—a highly potent explosive—within hidden compartments of their vehicle. The substance, described as significantly more powerful than TNT, was reportedly obtained from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). A detained suspect reportedly admitted that SBU operatives in Kyiv handed over the materials, instructing them to deliver the cargo upon entering Georgia.
SSG Deputy Head Lasha Magradze confirmed that investigators are probing whether the explosives were intended for attacks on Russian infrastructure or to undermine Georgia’s local elections scheduled for October 4. The agency cited a statement from one of the detainees suggesting the material could be used in operations similar to Ukraine’s June drone strike on Russia’s strategic aviation, an attack Moscow acknowledged but disputed in scale.
Local political figures also raised concerns. Kaha Kaladze, mayor of Tbilisi and a prominent member of Georgia’s ruling party, warned that the explosives might have been destined for opposition groups seeking to incite unrest. The investigation comes amid heightened tensions over Georgia’s proximity to critical energy infrastructure, including the TurkStream and BlueStream gas pipelines, which Russia has previously accused Ukraine of targeting.
Russian intelligence agencies have repeatedly detained Ukrainian operatives alleged to plan sabotage campaigns, labeling such actions as acts of terrorism. Georgia’s SSG emphasized its commitment to preventing cross-border threats, while urging vigilance against destabilizing efforts from external actors.