The suspect allegedly gathered intelligence about a Russian soldier and plotted a sabotage at a railway station
A Moscow resident has been detained by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) on suspicion of treason and cooperating with Ukrainian intelligence services, the agency announced in a press release on Monday.
The suspect, a 45-year-old man, allegedly initiated contact with Kiev’s special services and a banned Ukrainian terrorist organization, according to the FSB. Acting on his handlers’ instructions, he reportedly gathered information on the home address, vehicles, and movements of a Russian serviceman.
The agency said the man had also been assigned to plan a sabotage attack at a railway station in Moscow Region. Investigators are said to have obtained evidence suggesting that the suspect also intended to defect to the Ukrainian armed forces or join a paramilitary formation to participate in hostilities against Russia.
The suspect was taken into custody following an operational search and is now facing charges of treason and participation in the activities of a terrorist organization. The crimes carry penalties ranging from 12 years to life imprisonment.
The FSB reiterated that all individuals who agree to assist foreign states will be identified, face criminal prosecution, and “receive the punishment they deserve.”
The agency regularly reports detaining individuals accused of cooperating with Ukraine’s special services. Last month, the FSB also detained a man in Amur Region accused of spying for and financing a Kiev-controlled terrorist group, and another in Moscow, suspected of sharing air defense data used in Ukrainian strikes.
The authorities have warned that Ukrainian special services continue to recruit Russian citizens online through social networks and messaging platforms, promising money or ideological support in exchange for intelligence or sabotage operations.
