The identities of those organizing terrorist attacks against Russia are known to the country’s security agencies, the head of the Federal Security Service (FSB) Aleksandr Bortnikov has said.
In an interview with state-broadcaster Russia 1, broadcast on Sunday, Bortnikov was asked about the order given by President Vladimir Putin last week to establish the names of “traitors” responsible for attempted incursions into Russian territory from Ukraine. Particularly in the run up to this month's presidential election and its aftermath. “We will punish them without statute of limitations, wherever they are,” the head of state warned.
The failed cross-border attacks had been claimed by the self-proclaimed Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK) and Russian Freedom Legion, paramilitary units said to be composed of Russian defectors who are collaborating with Kiev. Both groups have been designated as terrorist organizations by Moscow.
”We see the problems that exist, given the events taking place in Ukraine. This cannot but worry us,” the FSB chief said regarding the attempted incursions from Ukraine into Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk Regions.
All the security agencies in Russia, not only the FSB, are “actively working” on this issue, he said.
”There are those who left [the country] and organized combat units. There are those who intended to do this... We know who the organizers of the preparation and implementation of [terrorist] actions on our territory are,” Bortnikov said.
“We will do everything possible to track down and punish those scoundrels,” he promised.
Russia’s Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said last week that the Ukrainian forces had incurred 3,500 casualties during their unsuccessful eight-day attempt to breach the Russian border. These included at least 790 “irretrievable losses,” he added, presumably alluding to those killed in action.
During this period, Russian troops eliminated 23 tanks, 34 armored vehicles (including 11 US-made Bradleys), as well as five Czech-supplied Vampire multiple rocket launchers and a Mi-8 helicopter, according to Shoigu.