FSB thwarted a subversive action at a defense facility in Moscow
In a recent development, two Russians have been placed in custody after being charged with attempted sabotage and illegal acquisition of explosives at a defense-industrial complex (DIC) facility in the Moscow region. The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia is conducting investigative activities to find the masterminds behind the sabotage.
According to the FSB, the suspects confessed to carrying out tasks assigned by a terrorist organization to disrupt the operation of the DIC object. The sabotage attempt took place at the facility, and the Russians were apprehended by FSB officers when they tried to bring homemade explosive devices (IEDs) onto the premises.
The FSB is also investigating the role of Telegram and WhatsApp in the recruitment of the suspects for the sabotage attempt. It is alleged that the Russians contacted representatives of a Ukrainian organization, recognized as terrorist in Russia, via Telegram and got jobs at a Moscow DIC plant.
The FSB reported that the sabotage attempt was orchestrated by a terrorist organization. The illegal acquisition of explosives charge was under part 3 of Article 222.1 of the Criminal Code, while the attempted sabotage charge was under part 3 of Article 30, clause "v" of part 2 of Article 281 of the Criminal Code.
The FSB is taking steps to prevent future sabotage attempts at defense-industrial complex facilities in Russia. It is also working to determine the full extent of the involvement of the terrorist organization in the sabotage attempt.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reports suggest that Ukrainian organizations are increasingly using Telegram and WhatsApp for recruitment purposes. According to multiple incidents reported primarily by Ukrainian sources, Russian intelligence (FSB) recruits individuals via Telegram channels with promises such as "easy money" to carry out terrorist attacks inside Ukraine, illustrating Telegram's role as a recruitment and coordination tool in this conflict context.
However, the FSB's own reports, such as those alleging arrests of teenagers for terrorist plotting, focus on foiling such attacks and accuse Ukrainians of terrorist activities but do not provide quantitative data on how common Telegram recruiting specifically is by Ukrainian groups within Russia.
In summary, the available evidence shows Telegram's notable use in recruitment by Russian intelligence in Ukraine, while FSB claims about Ukrainian use of Telegram for terrorism recruitment lack precise public data. The FSB is continuing its investigation into the sabotage attempt at a defense-industrial complex facility in the Moscow region.
- The FSB's investigation into the sabotage attempt reveals that Telegram was allegedly used by the Russians in contacting representatives of a Ukrainian organization, which is recognized as terrorist in Russia, for recruitment purposes related to war-and-conflicts.
- The news about the FSB's ongoing investigation into the Moscow region defense-industrial complex sabotage incident also covers politics, crime-and-justice, and general-news, with reports highlighting the role of Telegram in recruitment activities, charges of illegal acquisition of explosives, and attempts to orchestrate sabotage by a terrorist organization.
