From the Guardian · Associated Press · · 1m 20s
US charges five in alleged Russian murder plots
US officials say a Russian intelligence network tried to hire people to surveil and kill Ukraine-aligned targets.
In brief
US officials say a Russian intelligence network tried to hire people to surveil and kill Ukraine-aligned targets. Federal officials say Russia is expanding overseas attacks from dissidents to people and nations seen as backing Ukraine. Originally reported by the Guardian.
US alleges murder plots
Federal authorities say Russian intelligence services planned targeted killings in the US and Europe against people viewed as aligned with Ukraine.
“Russia’s intelligence services are plotting to carry out targeted killings”
Five people charged
An indictment unsealed in Manhattan says a network paid and tried to pay recruits to surveil targets before planned killings. The five charged remain at large.
Infrastructure was targeted too
Prosecutors say recruits were also asked to carry out terror attacks on civilian and military infrastructure in European countries backing Ukraine.
FBI says plot disrupted
FBI officials in New York and Washington said multiple field offices and partner agencies moved quickly after identifying the threat.
“moved quickly to disrupt the plot”
Network expanded since 2024
Officials say the Russian Federation network had conducted attacks and murders around the world since at least 2024, first focusing on dissidents and defectors.
“one arm”
A recruit refused murder
This summer, a US-based person allegedly gathered photos and videos of a target’s locations, then refused $40,000 to kill or make the person “disappear”.
“eliminate”
The big picture
Federal officials say Russia is expanding overseas attacks from dissidents to people and nations seen as backing Ukraine.
