Russia arrested 4 teenagers on charges of planning a terrorist attack in the city of Yekaterinburg, the motive of which has not been determined.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) today announced the arrest of 4 teenagers born in 2007 and 2008, accusing them of planning to detonate homemade explosive devices in some crowded areas in Yekaterinburg, city. 4th largest in the country.
The “terrorist” motives of the four suspects have not been clarified, the FSB noted. Two of the four suspects were also accused of burning a police car. A suspect confessed to burning the car at the suggestion of “neo-Nazi” channels on Telegram.
Yekaterinburg city in Russia, June 2024. Image: AFP
Russia last year witnessed an increasing trend of violence in many areas, highlighting the country’s vulnerabilities and security challenges, in the context that Moscow was having to devote defense and security resources to the campaign in Ukraine. . Many incidents relate to Islamic extremism and long-standing tensions between Russia and Muslim communities in Central Asia.
In March 2024, a group of gunmen attacked the Crocus theater in Moscow, killing 145 people and injuring 551 people. The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility, and Russian officials accused Ukraine of being involved.
In June 2024, a group of gunmen attacked synagogues and traffic police posts in the Russian Republic of Dagestan, killing 22 people.