FSB detains four for allegedly planning to poison Russian troops
The FSB arrested four men in Petersburg on charges of terrorism, claiming they planned to poison Russian soldiers on the front line. The detainees are allegedly members of the Russian Volunteer Corps, which supports Ukraine.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has arrested four individuals in Petersburg on charges of terrorism. This was reported by the Russian state news agency Interfax, referencing the FSB's Public Relations Centre.
The FSB reported that all four were members of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), an armed group whose members claim to be Russians fighting on the side of Ukraine.
According to the FSB, the individuals planned to "poison food products" labelled as "humanitarian aid" for Russian soldiers in Ukraine and residents of Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia with a "highly toxic chemical substance." The FSB added that the suspects "also conducted reconnaissance" of infrastructure in the Petersburg area to "prepare for subsequent acts of terrorism."
The FSB initiated a criminal case against the individuals based on the article relating to participation in the activities of a terrorist organization. If convicted, they face between 10 and 20 years in prison.
Russians fighting for Ukraine
The Russian Volunteer Corps has been active in Ukraine since the summer of 2022. It is led by the controversial figure - Denis Kapustin, also known as "Nikitin". According to estimates, his unit comprises at most 200 soldiers.
The soldiers of this unit have already carried out several operations this year in the border areas of Russia, at least two in March and April, in the Bryansk region.
They made headlines around the turn of May and June, when, together with another volunteer Russian formation, the "Freedom of Russia" Legion, they operated for several weeks in the Shebekino area of the Belgorod region.
