MOSCOW (Realist English). Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said it had prevented a series of planned attacks in Moscow and the surrounding region, alleging that Ukrainian intelligence services were preparing sabotage operations targeting critical infrastructure, officials, and military personnel.
According to an FSB statement, security agencies — including the Interior Ministry and the National Guard — were placed on heightened alert to prevent the alleged attacks. Authorities said the planned operations involved improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The FSB reported the detention in Moscow of a foreign national born in 1994, whom it described as part of a smuggling network allegedly organized by Ukrainian intelligence services. The suspect is accused of receiving a shipment containing 504 improvised explosive devices concealed in heated shoe insoles.
Investigators said the devices were intended to be delivered to military units under the guise of humanitarian aid. According to FSB explosives specialists, each device had an estimated explosive power equivalent to 1.5 grams of TNT and was designed to detonate when connected to a power source.
Authorities also said they had disrupted an alleged attempt to procure drones from a Moscow-based enterprise. The drones, described as fiber-optic-controlled systems capable of carrying payloads of up to 20 kilograms, could have been used for attacks if equipped with explosives.
The FSB further claimed that Ukrainian operatives used compromised accounts on digital platforms, including messaging services and online marketplaces, to contact suppliers and arrange logistics.
Russian investigators said additional suspects are being sought and that legal proceedings have been initiated.
The FSB warned that explosive devices may be disguised as everyday items, citing previous cases involving objects such as power banks, electronics, tools, and household goods. Authorities urged the public to report suspicious items or potential cyber intrusions to law enforcement.
The claims could not be independently verified, and Ukrainian officials have not publicly commented on the allegations.
Analytically, the announcement reflects heightened security tensions within Russia amid the ongoing conflict, with authorities emphasizing internal threat prevention alongside military operations.
The key uncertainty is whether such incidents will lead to broader security measures in major cities or remain limited to isolated counterintelligence cases.
