Two teenagers, both 17 years old, were detained on suspicion of committing sabotage on the Moscow railway network. The information was released by the press service of the Investigative Committee and later reported by TASS, providing the initial facts of the case.
According to investigators, the Moscow-Savelovskaya line section of the Ministry of Internal Affairs received a report about a fire in a relay cabinet at a railway facility. Responding officers found a damaged relay cabinet at the scene and, examining the area thoroughly, discovered an empty bottle containing fuel and residual oil. This finding raised questions about intent and the potential for broader danger to railway operations and passenger safety.
A criminal case was registered in connection with the incident. Through investigative measures, two suspects were identified and subsequently detained at their home in Dolgoprudny, a town located near Moscow. The two individuals were confirmed to be 17 years old, according to the ministry’s disclosures.
Interviews with the suspects took place as part of the inquiry. During questioning, it emerged that one of the teenagers had been contacted by an unidentified person who promised him $150 in exchange for sabotaging the capital’s railway system. The individual who contacted him also provided instructions on how to carry out the sabotage actions, guiding the young man through the planned steps.
The Investigative Committee noted that the 17-year-old was actively seeking a peer to collaborate with and that the two targeted the Mark–Lobnya section of the Savelovsky direction of the Moscow Railway. They reportedly set fire to a relay cabin in that area, an act with potentially severe consequences for railway infrastructure and public safety.
In the broader context, this case echoes recent legal actions in Crimea, where a local resident was found guilty of attempted treason. The new case in the Moscow region underscores the ongoing vigilance of authorities in protecting critical transport networks and ensuring that allegations of sabotage are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted where warranted. The investigation continues to determine the full scope of responsibility and any possible accomplices, as well as the motives and affiliations behind the attempted sabotage.