FSB arrests Russian accused of plotting to poison defense industry workers on ‘Ukrainian intelligence’ orders

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced the arrest of a Russian citizen suspected of plotting to poison employees at a defense industry enterprise in the Yaroslavl region, allegedly under orders from Ukrainian intelligence, according to the state news agency TASS.

The FSB claims the suspect retrieved two containers of hazardous chemicals from a “cache prepared by Ukrainian intelligence.” These substances, the agency stated, could cause severe respiratory burns and “potentially lead to death.”

The suspect allegedly planned to pour the chemicals into the ventilation systems of vehicles belonging to the enterprise’s employees. Investigators said his actions were “coordinated from Ukrainian territory using foreign Internet messaging services.”

The FSB did not disclose which defense enterprise was targeted.

The Telegram channel Baza, which has ties to law enforcement, reported that the suspect was promised 1.5 million rubles (about $14,600) for the attack.

According to Baza, the suspect, identified as 40-year-old Ilya B., began corresponding in December 2024 with an individual using the alias “Great Warrior of the Corps.” During their exchanges, he allegedly agreed to photograph critical infrastructure and carry out an attack on a machine-building plant. On January 8, he traveled to the designated location where the chemicals were supposedly stored but was detained there by law enforcement.