Russian FSB foils Ukrainian car bombing plot in Moscow region
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The Russian FSB has thwarted a Ukraine-linked terrorist attack in the Moscow region, arresting a dual Russian-Ukrainian citizen accused of plotting to bomb a military officer’s car with 60 kilograms of explosives.
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Cars pass the FSB headquarters in downtown Moscow, Russia, on December 30, 2016. (AP)
The Russian FSB has prevented a major terrorist attack in the Moscow region, arresting a dual Russian-Ukrainian citizen accused of plotting a car bombing against a high-ranking Russian military officer.
According to the FSB Public Relations Center, the suspect, born in 1989, was recruited by Ukrainian special services under the alias “Voron” while in a third country. Acting on orders from his handler, he assembled a homemade explosive device and concealed it inside a vehicle purchased with funds from abroad.
Investigators said the vehicle contained more than 60 kilograms of explosives and was to be parked at a location designated by Ukrainian handlers. The plan was to detonate the bomb as a senior officer from the Russian Ministry of Defense passed nearby.
The suspect was intercepted by FSB officers on the M-4 highway while traveling to the planned attack site. During questioning, he allegedly confessed to working with Ukrainian intelligence and said he had been promised exemption from mobilization into the Ukrainian Armed Forces in exchange for carrying out the attack.
Criminal charges and possible life sentence
The Investigative Department of the FSB’s Rostov Region office has opened criminal cases under multiple articles of the Russian Criminal Code, including High treason, Illegal manufacture, storage, or transport of explosives and explosive devices, Illegal acquisition, transfer, or possession of explosives, and Attempted criminal offense.
The suspect is in custody and could face up to life imprisonment if convicted on all charges.
It is worth noting that Ukrainian agents have made previous attempts to infiltrate and eliminate Russian military personnel this year.
In April, a Ukrainian suicide bombing attack set to target a military cadet dormitory was foiled by Russian FSB officers.
Other incidents of Ukrainian attacks that were foiled by Russian security forces include a chemical attack targeting Russian defense staff and an operation in which a Ukrainian agent was sent to hijack a helicopter.
