Russia Claims It Foiled Drone Attack Near Moscow

Russian authorities have said they have detained nine people in two cases allegedly linked to Ukrainian intelligence services. The Federal Security Service (FSB) claims that eight suspects were involved in plans to attack a strategic defense facility in the Moscow region.

The group allegedly had 35 explosive-laden drones that had been smuggled into Russia from the European Union. In a separate case, a foreign national from an unspecified country was detained in the Murmansk region while allegedly preparing to cross the border into Norway.

The FSB suspects the man of conducting reconnaissance on administrative buildings in Moscow and monitoring trains transporting petroleum products.

Russian state news agencies TASS and RIA reported that all nine detainees had been working for Ukrainian intelligence services. Moscow regularly announces the arrests of people it accuses of spying or planning attacks on behalf of Ukraine.

Kyiv has not commented on the latest allegations.

(Reuters, mja)