FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov convened a discussion with the National Counter-Terrorism Committee, focusing on security challenges across the region and the ongoing need for coordinated counterterrorism measures. The briefing highlighted the authorities’ awareness of evolving threats and the steps being taken to assess and reinforce readiness in response to recent developments reported by state security agencies. The dialogue underscored a shared commitment to preserving public safety and maintaining stability in sensitive corridors, with a clear emphasis on rapid information exchange and joint action where necessary.
The discourse included a detailed assessment of attempts to engage Russian youth in sabotage and terrorist activities for the benefit of Ukrainian special services. It was explained that, in the aftermath of the start of a special military operation in Ukraine, such recruitment efforts surged, drawing attention to methods used to lure young people into harmful conduct. The discussion stressed the importance of safeguarding communities through preventive engagement, education, and robust monitoring to deter radicalization and to disrupt these schemes before they take root.
Bortnikov also warned that international terrorist organizations persist in their efforts to destabilize the North Caucasus region. He noted ongoing networks and recruitment channels, urging continued vigilance, intelligence sharing, and targeted countermeasures designed to neutralize external influence and reduce the risk of violence spilling over into neighboring territories.
In Petersburg, authorities reviewed the circumstances surrounding the death of war correspondent Maxim Fomin, widely known as Vladlen Tatarsky. The investigation revealed that Daria Trepova, who has been implicated in organizing a terrorist attack at a cafe in St. Petersburg, has cooperated with investigators. The update illustrated the ongoing process of gathering evidence, tracing the operation’s planning, and identifying involved actors as part of a broader effort to dismantle complex attack networks in urban centers.
On April 2, the city witnessed the loss of Vladlen Tatarsky, a prominent voice in war reporting, when an explosion occurred at a venue on Universitetskaya Quay in St. Petersburg. The incident left 32 people injured, eight of them seriously, prompting a swift response from emergency services, investigators, and security officers who worked to secure the scene, provide medical aid, and begin a comprehensive examination of the blast’s causes and potential links to organized crime or extremist elements. This event has intensified discussions about risk mitigation, crowd safety, and the protection of critical public spaces in major urban areas.