FSB Thwarts Ukrainian Agent Attacks On Russian Defense Officials In Moscow

Illustration of the arrest of the suspect by the Russian FSB. (Source: Russia's Federal Security Service)

JAKARTA - Operators from the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) managed to thwart a terrorist attack targeting a top Defense Ministry official.

The suspect, who attempted to kill the official by detonating explosives in a parked car, has been detained, the FSB Public Relations Center said.

"The Russian Federal Security Service has detained a 1989-born Russian and Ukrainian citizen who is planning a terror attack in Moscow," the center said, launching TASS August 12.

The FSB noted, "an Ukrainian special service agent, codenamed Raven, who was recruited in a third country, has been arrested."

He explained, based on instructions from his recruiters on the Telegram messaging service, he made a homemade explosive device and hid it in a vehicle purchased with money received from the enemy. Then, the car containing more than 60 kilograms of explosives, should have been parked at a certain location and detonated when a top Russian military official approached it.

However, the plan was successfully thwarted by the suspect being arrested on the M-4 toll road on his way to the location of potential crime.

"During the investigation, (the suspect) admitted to working with the special services of the enemy. He said, in exchange for the terrorist act, he would be allowed to return to his home country and would not be mobilized into a Ukrainian army," the FSB press service statement said.

The FSB directorate's investigative department for the Rostov Region has filed criminal charges in the form of high treason and illicit trade as well as explosives manufacturing.

The FSB added, given the total crime committed, the suspect could face life imprisonment.