Russia's security service detains man over alleged railway sabotage plot VIDEO

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said it has detained a man in the Yaroslavl region who was allegedly preparing a terrorist attack on railway infrastructure on behalf of Ukrainian intelligence services.

The regional press office of the FSB’s Yaroslavl Directorate stated that the citizen, who they claimed was acting on orders from Ukrainian special services, was preparing a terrorist attack on a railway facility, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

"The suspect was caught red-handed while attempting to plant a homemade explosive device," the press service said. 

According to authorities, the suspect is a resident of Rybinsk born in 2003. The FSB said he was identified following what it described as a lengthy operational investigation.

Olga Kopteva, spokesperson for the FSB’s Yaroslavl Regional Directorate, said the man had been recruited through blackmail and instructed to transfer funds to a terrorist organisation.

“The individual was recruited by enemy intelligence services through blackmail to transfer funds to a terrorist organization. Instead of contacting law enforcement, the young man carried out orders from his Ukrainian handlers for an extended period of time. The FSB of Russia in the Yaroslavl Region has documented several instances of his illegal activities at energy and transportation infrastructure facilities. If you are pressured into committing illegal acts, you must immediately cease communication and contact law enforcement agencies,” Kopteva said.

The FSB also said investigators had documented several alleged attempts to target energy and transport infrastructure in the region.

Russia’s Investigative Department of the FSB in Yaroslavl has opened a criminal case against the suspect on charges of attempted terrorist attack.

By Sabina Mammadli