Three teenagers in Krasnodar Krai charged with terrorism over rail cabinet arson
In short
Three teenagers aged 15, 16 and 17 from Krasnodar Krai have been charged with a terrorist act over the burning of a relay cabinet on a railway section, Russia's Investigative Committee said. Investigators say they acted on the instructions of a curator who had offered money, and all three were remanded in custody.
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Three teenagers from Krasnodar Krai have been charged with a terrorist act after the burning of a railway relay cabinet, the Investigative Committee of Russia said on 20 October. The accused are aged 15, 16 and 17. Investigators say they acted on the instructions of a curator. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
According to the Investigative Committee, one of the teenagers received an offer in the Telegram messenger to carry out a terrorist act on transport infrastructure facilities for a monetary reward. Interfax quoted the committee as saying he, following the curator's algorithm, brought in his underage acquaintances. [ 3 , 4 ]
Investigators say the accused bought a bottle of flammable liquid and on the night of 24 September 2026 poured it over a relay cabinet on the section between the Goryachy Klyuch and Dolina Ocharovaniya stations and set it on fire. They filmed it on a phone, sent the video to the curator and left the scene. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The committee said their actions created a threat of failure for equipment that ensures safe train movement and pedestrian crossing. [ 3 , 4 ]
The suspects were detained by investigators together with FSB and Interior Ministry officers and are under arrest in a case under Article 205, part 2, point "a" of the Criminal Code. All three were remanded in custody. Vedomosti reported that investigators continue to establish the circumstances. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The documents give no information on damage or wider consequences. Investigators say the fire created a threat of failure for equipment that ensures safe train movement and pedestrian crossing.
Key facts
- Three minors from Krasnodar Krai, aged 15, 16 and 17, are charged with a terrorist act under Article 205, part 2, point "a" of the Criminal Code. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The Investigative Committee says they set fire to a relay cabinet on the section between the Goryachy Klyuch and Dolina Ocharovaniya stations on the night of 24 September 2026. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- They bought a bottle of flammable liquid, poured it on the cabinet and set it alight, according to investigators. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- They filmed the act on a phone, sent the video to a curator and left the scene, investigators say. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- One of the teenagers received an offer in Telegram to carry out a terrorist act on transport infrastructure for payment and brought in acquaintances, according to the Investigative Committee. [ 3 , 4 ]
- The three were detained by investigators together with FSB and Interior Ministry officers and remanded in custody. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Three teenagers aged 15, 16 and 17 from Krasnodar Krai are charged with a terrorist act over the arson of a railway relay cabinet; the Investigative Committee announced it. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- All three were remanded in custody. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Investigators say the teenagers sent a video of the arson to a curator. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- The curator's identity and whereabouts The documents say the teenagers acted on a curator's instructions but give no information about who the curator is.
- The actual damage to the railway equipment Investigators speak only of a threat of equipment failure; the documents report no damage or disruption to train traffic.
- The account of the offer and payment The account of a Telegram offer with a monetary reward comes from the Investigative Committee, as reported by Interfax and Vedomosti; the other documents do not give this detail.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS publishes the report that teenagers in Krasnodar Krai were charged with a terrorist act on the instructions of curators. [ 1 ]
- RIA Novosti reports the charges, citing the Investigative Committee. [ 2 ]
- Interfax reports the charges against the three teenagers and the Investigative Committee's account of the Telegram offer. [ 3 ]
- Vedomosti reports the charges and custody for all three. [ 4 ]
- RBC reports the charges, citing the Investigative Committee press service. [ 5 ]