Kiev: Ukraine security services on Friday announced the launch of a "terrorism" probe after the explosion of a homemade bomb outside the Kiev offices of Russia`s state-controlled Sberbank the previous day.
The explosion, which caused no injuries but shattered nearby windows, was the first of its kind in the Ukrainian capital.
Two other similar bombs were later found outside Sberbank branches in Kiev.
A statement from the SBU security service called the explosion a "terrorist act" and said one of the leads being followed was that "this crime was committed on the orders of Russia`s special services to destabilise the situation in Kiev."
With Ukraine locked in a year-long conflict pitting separatist insurgents in the east against the Kiev government, there have been many bombings elsewhere in the country, either against strategic military installations, NGOs or political parties.
The authorities have repeatedly blamed the incidents on Russian special services.
The Ukraine conflict broke out after the annexation of Crimea in March last year. A February ceasefire has largely held despite sporadic fighting along the frontline.
