Russian FSB thwarts gas pipeline attack in Moscow region PHOTO

Russian security services have said they prevented a planned terrorist attack on a major gas pipeline in the Moscow region.

A Russian national, born in 1969, was detained in the Serpukhov district while attempting to plant an improvised explosive device (IED), Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

According to the FSB, the man was recruited by Ukrainian intelligence in 2024 while being held at a temporary detention centre in Ukraine for immigration violations. Following his recruitment, he was reportedly sent to Russia under the guise of deportation.

In November, acting on instructions from his Ukrainian handler, the suspect purchased a vehicle and an electric drill, and retrieved several IEDs from a cache, the FSB said.

He intended to bore into the ground above the gas pipeline and detonate the devices. After carrying out the mission, he had planned to return to Ukraine via third countries.

Authorities seized four homemade explosives disguised as tubes of adhesive, along with communications equipment, the FSB press service said.

The suspect has admitted his guilt and expressed remorse. “I acknowledge my guilt and regret what I have done,” he said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev