FSB claims it prevented attempt on life of annexed Crimea head

The Federal Security Service (FSB) says it has “foiled an assassination attempt” on Sergei Aksenov, the head of annexed Crimea.

According to Interfax, the FSB Public Relations Center said the attempt was being prepared by a Russian citizen, born in 1988, “who had been recruited by the SBU.” Allegedly, he underwent “a course of training in reconnaissance and subversive activities, including mine detonation training” on Ukrainian territory.

In June 2023, the FSB said in a statement that, “an agent from a foreign intelligence service” had arrived in Crimea and begun preparations for a terrorist attack – he planned to blow up Aksenov’s car.

“However, the bomber did not have time to execute his plan, as he was detained when the explosive device was removed from its cache,” the FSB said.

The suspect was arrested, and is being investigated under Article 30, Pt. 1 of Article 205 of the Criminal Code (“Attempt to commit a terrorist act”) and Pt. 1 Article 222.1 of the Criminal Code (“Illegal acquisition, storage, transportation of explosives or explosive devices”).

Sergei Aksenov thanked the FSB on Telegram, noting their “clear and effective work.” He also said that “the terrorist threat” can only be completely eliminated “by meeting the objectives of the special military operation.”

This is just one in a series of regular FSB announcements, in which they claim to have arrested “SBU recruits” preparing terrorist attacks and sabotage on Russian territory, as well as “Ukrainian spies.” Often, it turns out that theese “spies” and “saboteurs” announced to be detained by the FSB, had nothing to do with foreign intelligence services, according to their relatives and friends, and did not commit any illegal actions.