City Day is celebrated in Lugansk annually on the second Saturday of September. This year, City Day falls on September 13th.
"City utility services, engaged in urban improvement, discovered an explosive device near the 'Lugansk' stela on the exit to Stanitsa Luganskaya. After identifying the object, they reported it to law enforcement," the source said.
The area was promptly cordoned off. "Specialists on site discovered a homemade explosive device consisting of a 120-mm artillery shell filled with explosive material. It was all camouflaged with construction foam and branches," the source specified.
Upon inspection, it was revealed that the IED (improvised explosive device) was non-removable, so it was decided to destroy it with an additional charge on the spot.
"The goal was to carry out a terrorist attack against members of delegations arriving in the LPR capital on the eve of the holiday," the agency's interlocutor stated.