The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia has dismantled a major international terrorist network, revealing that its leader—a teenager from Dagestan—was involved in organizing at least 15 terrorist acts across 10 Russian regions. According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing TASS, the FSB's Public Relations Center confirmed that all perpetrators have been detained and face formal legal proceedings.
Authorities reported that the detained teenager acted as a recruiter and instructor for the radicalized network. He provided training on tactics for carrying out terrorist attacks and mass killings, and supplied instructions for the assembly of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The investigation further revealed that the network, coordinated by handlers in Ukraine, extended its operations beyond Russia. The group was responsible for arson attacks on civilian vehicles and churches in the United States and various European countries. Between 2025 and 2026, members of this network reportedly damaged or destroyed over 20 civilian vehicles and targeted Christian places of worship, with these actions coordinated by agents of Ukrainian special services. Additionally, the group was linked to a series of hoax bomb threats targeting educational institutions and social infrastructure facilities.
The FSB's operations highlight the ongoing challenges posed by decentralized, online-radicalized terror cells that utilize digital platforms to coordinate cross-border activities. Such networks often exploit young individuals to carry out disruptive and violent acts, complicating traditional counter-terrorism efforts.
