On September 18, 2025, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced it had thwarted an attempted car bombing aimed at the head of a defense industry enterprise in St. Petersburg. Authorities detained three suspects allegedly linked to Ukrainian intelligence, reports 24brussels.
The detained individuals, two women and a man—all Russian citizens, born in 1993, 1994, and 2006—were reportedly part of an operational network guided by Ukrainian special services. They were in the process of executing a plan to detonate an improvised explosive device (IED) attached to the official’s vehicle.
According to the FSB, two of the suspects were under the direction of a handler connected to Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate. They conducted surveillance on the target and scouted his residence. The group allegedly used a cache concealed in a St. Petersburg cemetery to transfer the IED to the third suspect.
The main perpetrator disguised himself in women’s clothing to imitate an elderly pensioner and approached the target’s location with the explosive device. He was apprehended at the scene while attempting to carry out the attack.
During the interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their participation in the plan and acknowledged their communication with Ukrainian operatives via the Telegram messenger application.
Russian authorities have initiated criminal proceedings against the suspects on several counts, including preparation for a terrorist act, illegal possession of explosives, participation in a terrorist community, and high treason. If convicted, they face a potential life sentence.
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to evolve, incidents such as this highlight ongoing tensions and the complex dynamics of espionage and sabotage affecting both nations.
