Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) had thwarted an attempted car bombing targeting the head of a defense industry enterprise in St. Petersburg, detaining three suspects linked to Ukrainian intelligence, TASS news agency reported on Thursday.
The suspects — two young women and a young man, all Russian citizens born in 1993, 1994, and 2006, respectively — were allegedly part of an agent network directed by Ukrainian special services. They were preparing to blow up the official’s vehicle using an improvised explosive device (IED), the FSB’s Public Relations Center was quoted as saying.
The FSB said that under instructions from a handler affiliated with the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, two of the detainees conducted surveillance of the intended victim and scouted his residence. They reportedly used a cache hidden in a St. Petersburg cemetery to pass the IED to the third suspect.
The alleged perpetrator disguised himself in women’s clothing to resemble an elderly pensioner and approached the target location with the device. He was detained at the scene while attempting to plant the explosive, the FSB said.
During interrogation, the suspects confessed to preparing the attack and admitted to cooperating with the adversary through the Telegram messenger.
Criminal cases have been opened on charges including preparation for a terrorist act, illegal circulation of explosives, participation in a terrorist community, involvement in a terrorist organization, and high treason. The suspects are in custody and face possible life imprisonment if convicted, investigators said.
