FSB says it detained two Russians accused of gathering data for attacks
In short
Russia’s Federal Security Service said it detained two Russian citizens, born in 2006 and 2002, who it says collected information about defence-industry and fuel-and-energy facilities in Perm and Stary Oskol for planned attacks on behalf of Ukrainian special services. The FSB said an improvised explosive device ready for use was seized from the man detained in Belgorod region, and that both coordinated their actions through Telegram. Both were placed under arrest and charged with preparing a terrorist act and sabotage; the service said a treason case is under consideration.
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Russia’s Federal Security Service said it detained two Russian citizens who it says gathered information about defence-industry and fuel-and-energy facilities in Perm and Stary Oskol in preparation for attacks on behalf of Ukrainian special services. The state agencies TASS and RIA Novosti reported the FSB’s announcement, and the business outlets Vedomosti, RBC and Kommersant carried the same account, citing the FSB’s public relations centre. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
The detainees were born in 2006 and 2002, Kommersant reported, and coordinated their actions with the Ukrainian side through Telegram, according to the FSB. Kommersant said no further details about them were given. [ 3 , 6 ]
According to the FSB, an improvised explosive device ready for use was seized from the man detained in Belgorod region, who also allegedly served repeatedly as a courier for money that Russians defrauded by fraudulent call centres had handed over. The man held in Perm Krai was promised a large payment and removal to the European Union in exchange for cooperating with the Ukrainian side, the FSB said. [ 3 , 6 ]
Criminal cases were opened over preparation of a terrorist act under part 2 of article 205 of the Criminal Code, preparation of sabotage under part 2 of article 281 and illegal acquisition of explosives under part 3 of article 222.1, Kommersant reported. Both detainees were placed under arrest, and the FSB said the question of opening a treason case under article 275 is being considered. [ 3 , 6 ]
TASS published video of the detentions, investigative measures and interrogations of the suspects. [ 5 ]
Kommersant noted that Telegram has previously figured in FSB cases as a channel for recruitment and covert communication, and that FSB materials in other cases described the collection of information as the passing of data on military deployment and the movement of equipment. In one such case, the service said, the coordinates passed allowed a HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system strike to be carried out. [ 6 ]
Vedomosti also noted that on 2 October the FSB reported the detention in the Dzhankoy district of Crimea of a Russian citizen born in 1992 suspected of passing Ukrainian special services information about Russian military facilities on the peninsula and the movement of military equipment. The FSB said he had made contact with an officer of Ukraine’s security service through Telegram. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The account rests almost entirely on statements by the FSB, carried by state and business outlets alike, so what is publicly known about the cases comes from the security service itself. Kommersant notes that Telegram has appeared before in FSB cases as a recruitment and covert-communication channel, indicating the detentions touch a pattern the service has repeatedly described. Vedomosti places the announcement alongside a separate FSB report days earlier in Crimea, pointing to continuing counter-sabotage cases inside Russia.
Key facts
- The FSB said it detained two Russian citizens, born in 2006 and 2002, over the collection of information about defence-industry and fuel-and-energy facilities. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The detentions took place in Perm Krai and Belgorod region, with information gathered about sites in Perm and Stary Oskol, according to the FSB. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- An improvised explosive device ready for use was seized from the man detained in Belgorod region, the FSB said. [ 3 , 6 ]
- According to the FSB, the detainees coordinated their actions with the Ukrainian side through Telegram. [ 3 , 6 ]
- The FSB said the Belgorod-region detainee also acted repeatedly as a courier for money handed over by Russians defrauded by call centres, while the man in Perm Krai was promised a large payment and removal to the European Union. [ 3 , 6 ]
- Cases were opened over preparation of a terrorist act, preparation of sabotage and illegal acquisition of explosives; both detainees were arrested and a treason case is under consideration. [ 3 , 6 ]
- TASS published video of the detentions, investigative measures and interrogations of the suspects. [ 5 ]
- Kommersant noted that Telegram has previously appeared in FSB cases as a channel for recruitment and covert communication. [ 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The FSB said two Russian citizens were detained over the collection of data on defence-industrial and fuel-and-energy facilities for attacks on behalf of Ukrainian special services. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The detentions took place in Perm Krai and Belgorod region. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- Both detainees were placed under arrest. [ 3 , 6 ]
- The FSB said the detainees coordinated through Telegram. [ 3 , 6 ]
- An improvised explosive device was seized from the man detained in Belgorod region. [ 3 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- Whether a treason case will be opened against the detainees. Vedomosti and Kommersant both report that the FSB says the question is still being considered; no decision is stated.
- The specifics of the FSB account, including the alleged tasks and promises to the detainees. The details come from the security service; Kommersant attributes them with wording such as the service asserting them, and no independent confirmation appears in the documents.
- Whether the two detainees acted together or whether the two cases are connected. The documents describe two separate locations and two men but do not state any link between the cases.
- The identities and further details of the detainees. Kommersant says no details about them beyond their years of birth are given.
- The 2 October detention in Crimea reported alongside this case. It appears in only one document and is described by the FSB as a separate case.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS and RIA Novosti report that the FSB detained Russians accused of collecting data on defence-industry and fuel-and-energy facilities for attacks. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Vedomosti reports the detentions took place in Perm and Stary Oskol, that an explosive device was seized and that coordination was via Telegram. [ 3 ]
- RBC reports the FSB detained two Russians in Perm Krai and Belgorod region over data on defence-industry and fuel-and-energy sites. [ 4 ]
- TASS publishes video of the detentions, investigative measures and interrogations. [ 5 ]
- Kommersant reports the charges, the arrests and that a treason case is under consideration. [ 6 ]