The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Monday that it had thwarted a terrorist attack in Moscow targeting a high-ranking officer in the Defense Ministry.
According to the FSB, the attack was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence agencies in cooperation with the banned terrorist group ISIS.
“The Federal Security Service of Russia has prevented a sabotage and terrorist attack against a high-ranking officer of the Russian Ministry of Defense, organized by Ukrainian special services jointly with the leaders of the international terrorist organization Islamic State … Three Russian citizens involved in covering up the traces of the planned crime, and a native of Central Asia — the direct perpetrator of the terrorist attack — have been detained,” the FSB said in a statement.
The agency added that the perpetrator had been recruited by an ISIS member acting on behalf of Ukrainian special services. That individual is reportedly on the international wanted list of both Russian and Uzbek authorities.
According to the statement, the person who directed the attempted attack was also involved in the assassination of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov.
The FSB further stated that the explosives intended for the attack were dropped from a drone and that the powerful device was designed to kill the perpetrator and inflict casualties within a 70-meter radius. (Agencies)