Security services have detained a Russia-Ukraine dual citizen accused of planning to detonate 60kg of explosives in a car bomb attack
A dual citizen of Russia and Ukraine has been detained for allegedly plotting a terrorist attack on a senior serviceman of the Russian Ministry of Defense in the Moscow Region, the country’s security services have reported.
In a press release on Tuesday, the Federal Security Service (FSB) said it had identified an agent of the Ukrainian special services operating under the pseudonym “Raven,” who was recruited while in a third country. Acting on instructions received via Telegram, the suspect allegedly assembled a homemade explosive device and concealed it inside a car purchased with funds from Ukraine.
According to the FSB, the vehicle was loaded with more than 60kg of explosives and was to be parked at a location designated by the suspect’s Ukrainian handlers. It would then be detonated when the targeted military official passed nearby.
The 36-year-old suspect was apprehended while traveling to the scene of the planned attack via the M-4 highway which runs from Moscow to the Black Sea coast. During interrogation, he confessed to cooperating with Ukrainian intelligence, stating he had been promised the chance to return to Ukraine and avoid mobilization into the Ukrainian armed forces in exchange for carrying out the plot.
The FSB has released footage showing the suspect’s arrest, his confession, and the inspection of the car, which appeared to contain bomb components hidden in the trunk and under the front panels.
A criminal case has been opened under articles covering high treason, the illegal manufacture and storage of explosives, and related offenses. The suspect has been placed in pre-trial detention and could face life imprisonment if convicted.
Russian security services have regularly reported foiling similar plots allegedly organized by Kiev. Last week, two teenagers in Novosibirsk were detained for attempting to poison a Russian military officer on remote orders from Ukraine and another man was arrested on suspicion of plotting to assassinate the head of a Russian defense industry enterprise.
