Russia’s FSB says it thwarted major explosives smuggling attempt

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) says it has foiled an attempt to smuggle more than 500 explosive devices into Russian territory intended for use in planned terrorist attacks, according to remarks by FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov.

Bortnikov said the operation was carried out in cooperation with Belarus’s State Security Committee, adding that security services assess such incidents as reflecting the scale of threats they say are emanating from Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

He also stated that at the beginning of the year the FSB, working alongside counterparts in Uzbekistan, prevented five planned terrorist attacks in Russian regions, including Moscow.

According to Bortnikov, intelligence agencies believe that covert terrorist networks are being formed across Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, along with logistical channels and planning structures intended to support attacks.

By Sabina Mammadli