A man accused of involvement with a widely banned extremist organization was detained in Moscow, according to statements from the press service of the FSB Moscow and Moscow Region Directorate. The agency identified the individual as a 1993-born Russian citizen and labeled him a terrorism suspect. The report notes that he traveled to Syria in 2014, underwent training there, and joined a group active in combat against ISIS. Between 2015 and 2019, he allegedly took part in hostilities as a member of several formations connected to the terrorist organization. These details were conveyed by the Federal Security Service and were carried by TASS, the state news agency, as part of ongoing security updates. [Citation: FSB Moscow and Moscow Region Directorate; TASS]
In another development, on March 18, authorities detained a Russian woman on charges of preparing a terrorist attack on Crimea’s railway network. The Ministry stated that she was acting under the direction of Ukrainian intelligence and planned to damage the Crimean Railway by setting fire to a relay cabinet, with the aim of disrupting defense-related transportation. The case underscores continued concerns about militant plots aimed at critical infrastructure in the region. [Citation: Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs; FSB]
Earlier, on March 16, the FSB announced the interruption of preparations for a terrorist attack on the Trans-Siberian Railway in the Sverdlovsk region. A criminal case was opened against a man who reportedly carried out orders from Ukrainian intelligence under a statute commonly used in terrorism-related prosecutions. The suspect reportedly admitted involvement and agreed to cooperate with investigators, providing information to support the case. The authorities framed the incident as part of broader security operations targeting potential threats to vital transport corridors. [Citation: FSB; regional security press release]
Comments from officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have touched on the expectations Russians hold regarding the effectiveness of their intelligence services. The public discourse reflects a mix of concern for safety and calls for accountability, with experts emphasizing the role of intelligence agencies in preventing attacks and dismantling networks linked to extremist activity. The reporting highlights how Russia continues to address threats that span domestic security and cross-border influence. [Citation: Official statements; state media]