The FSB reports disruption of ISIS financing and weapons networks in Russia
The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation has announced the disruption of a terrorist cell in the Moscow region that financed ISIS, an organization banned in Russia. The agency states that a significant number of individuals tied to ISIS funding have been detained in the course of the operation, which targeted financial channels and support networks linked to the group.
In a separate operation, FSB officers reported the detention of more than ninety underground weapons technicians who were active in covert workshops. These individuals produced and restored firearms, then sold the weapons across forty regions of the country. The crackdown underscores the persistence of illicit arms trade and the challenges it poses to public safety and regional security.
From July to August, the FSB traced the movements of illegal gunsmiths across multiple locations, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sevastopol, and several federal subjects such as Altai, Crimea, Dagestan, Komi, Krasnodar, Perm, and Khabarovsk. The careers of these suspects spanned many locales within the federation, highlighting a broad network involved in illicit arms manufacturing and distribution.
Authorities report that the operations resulted in the seizure of a substantial arsenal. The recovered items included 349 firearms from both domestic and foreign origins, a mix that featured four machine guns, 18 submachine guns, 171 pistols, and a revolver. The seizure also encompassed three RPO-A Shmel flamethrowers, 28 grenade launchers (including RPG-30 and RPG-18 models), and a large cache of ammunition and explosives. The haul contained 111 artillery shells, 46,800 rounds, grenade fuses, and more than 41 kilograms of explosive materials, among other items.
The materials recovered by security services paint a clear picture of the scale of the threat and the complexity of the illicit networks involved. The FSB emphasizes that continuing efforts are required to dismantle both the financial backers and the operational operators who enable such illegal activity. The agency states that all seized items are being cataloged and analyzed to prevent further illicit use and to support ongoing investigations across the country.
Experts warn that the combination of financing networks, weapons manufacture, and illegal distribution creates multiple vectors for risk to civilians and security forces. The authorities say they will maintain vigilance and pursue all leads to curtail similar activities in the future. The public is urged to stay informed through official updates and to report suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities to help curb the spread of weapons and extremist support networks.