MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. Operatives from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) have thwarted a terror attack on a petrochemical enterprise in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, neutralizing two Central Asian nationals who plotted it under the guidance of a Ukrainian handler, the FSB Public Relations Center said.
"In the Nizhny Novgorod Region, a subversive terrorist attack was prevented, plotted by Ukrainian special services with the participation of two Central Asian nationals, the adherents of the ideology of an international terrorist organization banned in Russia," the press service said.
"Following the directives of a Ukrainian handler, the foreign nationals retrieved FPV drones equipped with improvised explosive devices from a hidden stash to carry out a subversive attack on a local chemical facility. During their apprehension, they attempted armed resistance and were neutralized by return fire," the FSB stated.
Two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), loaded with foreign-made explosives, a Kalashnikov assault rifle, and a Makarov pistol, were seized at the scene. "Communications with the handler were found on the perpetrators' phones, confirming preparations for a sabotage operation and containing the coordinates of a stash with destructive materials and firearms," the FSB Public Relations Center reported.
The investigative unit of the FSB Directorate for the Nizhny Novgorod Region has filed charges for planning a sabotage act. Ongoing search and investigative measures are being carried out.