The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) has detained seven residents of Moscow who were suspected of aiming to create and operationalize a cell for the organization identified by authorities as the Russian Volunteer Corps. This information originates from a statement released by the FSB Public Affairs Center and is presented here as reported to the public through official channels. [attribution: FSB Public Affairs Center report]
According to the FSB, the detainees maintained contacts with representatives of the Russian Volunteer Corps and discussed plans that would enable them to carry out violent actions against law enforcement officers, military personnel, and foreign nationals. The agency noted that the conversations and communications found on their devices indicated purposes and methods to execute such violence, underscoring the intent to prepare for and trigger confrontations in potentially targeted settings. [attribution: FSB statement]
Detention operations were carried out with the force support of the Main Directorate of the National Guard in Moscow, specifically the SOBR unit. The operation involved coordinated actions to prevent any imminent harm and to disrupt the activities of the suspected cell. [attribution: FSB and Moscow SOBR involvement]
Upon search of the suspects’ residence, authorities discovered a collection of weapons and equipment, including a machete, a tactical axe, eight knives, an aerosol firearm, pepper spray, and flags bearing Nazi symbols. Investigators also recovered correspondence and data on the detainees’ devices that linked them to representatives of the Russian Volunteer Corps. These findings are cited to illustrate the scope of preparations and the intent to coordinate violent activity. [attribution: FSB materials and case evidence]
In a separate development, employees of the Federal Security Service detained another individual, a resident of Penza, who was suspected of forwarding information to Ukrainian intelligence concerning Russian military personnel stationed in the Northern Military District. The inquiry into this case is ongoing, and it is presented here to provide a broader context for security measures described in official communications. [attribution: FSB separate arrest report]
Earlier reports mention a resident of Kaliningrad who faced detention over alleged attempts to join forces with Ukrainian military elements, an incident that highlights continuing concerns over cross-border influence and unauthorized affiliations. The information is summarized from official disclosures and is included to reflect the broader security landscape as described by authorities. [attribution: FSB prior disclosures]