The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained a Russian citizen accused of collaborating with Ukrainian intelligence to produce homemade bombs, the FSB said on November 18. The suspect, a man in his 50s, was reportedly recruited by Ukrainian special services in October 2023.
According to the FSB, the suspect manufactured several homemade explosive devices in a workshop at his rural home. After manufacturing them, he hid them in secret locations for others to collect and carry out the sabotage plan.
A total of seven Russian citizens were detained as part of the investigation. The explosive devices were used in attacks on a number of important targets, including a police headquarters, a military officers' club, offices of two energy companies and a gas distribution station in the Belgorod, Bryansk and Tula regions of Russia. All of these plots were thwarted in time, the FSB said.
During a search of the suspect's workshop, the FSB seized a fully assembled explosive device, components for making bombs, along with ammunition and various weapons, including antique models of guns used during World War II.
In a video released with the announcement, the suspect was caught trying to plant a bomb at the direction of his Ukrainian commander. He also confessed to receiving money to support Kiev’s sabotage activities. Several other subjects also confessed to acts related to the thwarted terrorist plans.
According to the FSB, preventing sabotage plots involving Ukrainian intelligence is a regular task. The agency regularly publishes reports on the disruption of attack plots.
Just last week, the FSB announced the arrest of two suspects who intended to carry out arson attacks on orders from Ukraine.
