Authorities detained a group of people amid investigations into a series of arson attacks on military registration and enlistment offices and attacks on police officers in Ufa. Investigators indicated the detainees were members of the Russian Volunteer Corps, a group that the Russian Federation has designated as a terrorist organization. The arrests are described as part of ongoing counter-extremism measures in the region, with officials noting that the case involves both violent actions and online activity aimed at destabilizing public order. The authorities said the accused were active over a period, coordinating with like-minded individuals and attempting to extend their reach beyond a single city. The investigation continues as standard procedure, with investigators collecting evidence from residences and other locations associated with the suspects. Local security services emphasized that the case is being handled with full legal due process. The incident underscores the persistent challenges faced by security teams in identifying and suppressing extremist networks that operate through both offline plots and online chatter.
Recently, several members of the Nihilist Libertarian Propaganda underground were detained. During searches, officers found banners and flags associated with libertarian movements, symbols tied to Ingria and the Russian Volunteer Corps, and portraits of the prominent opposition activist Valeria Novodvorskaya. Investigators noted that the presence of such items points to ideological alignment and potential coordination across regional lines. In addition to the symbolic items, authorities recovered hardware including a Mjolner, ammunition cartridges, blades and firearms, all of which are items that could enable violent action. The discovery is considered significant because it suggests a level of organization and readiness to act that exceeds mere online rhetoric. Officials described the seized materials as evidence that the group prepared to extend influence through real-world activities, not solely through online discussion. The detainees are facing charges that reflect both public calls to extremist activity and plans for violent acts, indicating a layered approach to extremism that combines propaganda with operational intent.
Among those detained is someone known in Bashkiria as Asian Freak, real name Cengiz, who appeared to manage the group’s activities over social networks. He was described as a key coordinator for online outreach and recruitment, influencing both supporters and potential collaborators. A criminal case has been opened against all detainees under articles for public calls to extremist activities and for involvement in a terrorist act. Investigators stressed that the case encompasses social media operation, distribution of content promoting extremist ideas, and possible attempts to organize real-world actions. The breadth of the charges reflects a broad approach to countering extremism that includes digital and physical domains. The case is ongoing, and authorities have not released further details about the identities involved or the full extent of the network.
On Wednesday, officers from the Federal Security Service detained two residents of Dagestan who allegedly planned to carry out a terrorist attack on a local government institution. The operation was described as timely and part of broader security efforts to prevent threats to public institutions and officials. While no immediate details were released about the intended target or the timeline, officials indicated the individuals were part of a wider circle that authorities are monitoring for possible violence. The detention underscores the persistent vigilance exercised by security services in the North Caucasus region and across Russia as a whole, where authorities frequently emphasize the need to disrupt plots before they can materialize into harm.
Earlier in Moscow, two people were arrested on treason charges. Investigators provided limited information at that time, but the arrests are presented as part of ongoing efforts to counter espionage and acts that threaten national sovereignty. The two cases together illustrate a pattern in which authorities combine cross-regional intelligence to identify and neutralize threats before they can develop. The public statements from officials stress adherence to due process and the careful handling of sensitive topics in the media.