‘Bombmaker working for Kiev’ busted in Russia – FSB

A man who produced homemade bombs for Ukrainian intelligence assets has been arrested in Russia’s Kaluga Region, the Federal Service Security (FSB) claimed on Monday.

The suspect, a Russian national in his early 50s, was recruited by Ukrainian special services in October 2023, according to a service statement. He produced several improvised explosive devices (IED) at a workshop at his country house, which he then hid at secret locations for others to pick up and use, the FSB has claimed.

Overall, seven Russian nationals have reportedly been taken into custody as part of the same investigation. The IED supplier was allegedly involved in bomb plots that planned to target a police precinct, a military officers’ club, the offices of two energy companies, and a gas distribution station, the FSB stated. All of the planned attacks, which were due to take place in Russia’s Belgorod, Bryansk and Tula regions, were thwarted, according to the agency.

The FSB said that upon raiding the alleged bombmaker’s workshop, agents found an assembled IED, components for producing explosives, munitions and some firearms, including historic pieces that were in use during World War II.

In a video released with the statement, the suspect says he was caught while trying to plant one of his bombs in person, as ordered by his Ukrainian handler. He said he had been paid for facilitating Kiev’s sabotage operations. Several other suspects made confessions to alleged acts of attempted terrorism in the same clip.

The FSB reportedly stops plots linked to the Ukrainian intelligence services on a regular basis, according to public updates. Last week, it claimed to have busted two would-be arsonists hired by Kiev for acts of sabotage.