MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) prevented a terrorist attack against a high-ranking Russian military official in the Republic of Crimea.
A local resident plotted the attack on the instructions of the Ukrainian special services, and was detained, the FSB Public Relations Center told TASS.
"The Federal Security Service prevented a terrorist attack against a high-ranking Russian military official in the Republic of Crimea that was being planned by the Ukrainian special services," the FSB Public Relations Center reported.
A 39-year-old resident of Sevastopol was detained. The suspect had proactively established and maintained contact via Telegram with a representative of a banned terrorist organization that operates under the control of the Ukrainian special services.
"The perpetrator was assigned to eliminate a Russian Armed Forces serviceman by planting a remote-controlled improvised explosive device under the officer's car. To that end, his curator provided the coordinates of a cache in Sevastopol containing a high-explosive device, assembly instructions, the officer's license plate number and residential address, and specified the detonation date. The individual was detained by FSB officers before he could carry out the plan," the FSB Public Relations Center said.
The FSB Public Relations Center also stated that the man was gathering intelligence on Russian military installations and personnel to assist the adversary in conducting subversive and terrorist activities on Russian territory.
The Investigative Department of the FSB Directorate for the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol has initiated a criminal case on charges of offenses under Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 3 of Article 205 (preparation for a terrorist act) and Article 275 (high treason) of the Russian Criminal Code. The detained individual has been remanded in custody.
The FSB Public Relations Center reiterated to citizens that Ukrainian special services continue actively recruiting potential perpetrators of terrorist acts and sabotage via the internet, social networks, and messaging apps.
"Anyone who agrees to assist the adversary will be identified and prosecuted, facing penalties up to life imprisonment," the FSB Public Relations Center emphasized.