SBU warns about threats to blow up power engineering facilities

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reported anonymous threats to blow up hydropower and nuclear power plants.

"Alongside manifestations of extremism, there have been anonymous threats to blow up hydropower and nuclear power plants, damage to which may have unforeseen and extremely serious consequences for the population of Ukraine and neighboring states," the Ukrainian Security Service said in a report posted on its Web site on Monday, Interfax-Ukraine reports.

The latest events in Ukraine have escalated public tensions through the illegal activity of "some radical organizations and citizens," the report said.

"The events happening around national power grid facilities have a negative effect on the levels of security of our state and create a threat to their operation and the life and health of citizens," the Ukrainian Security Service said.

It noted that the possible takeover, destruction or damage of facilities, which are crucial for the economy or defense, with the purpose of weakening the country, disturbing the public peace, intimidating the population and influencing decisions of the state authorities and local self-government bodies were defined as crimes by Article 113 (sabotage) and Article 258 (terrorism) of the Ukrainian Criminal Code and punishable by up to 15 years in prison.