Detainees in the Krasnodar Territory for preparing sabotage admitted to collaborating with Ukrainian intelligence services.

The FSB Public Relations Center published interrogation videos in which one of the arrested individuals stated that he independently contacted a handler via Telegram, who offered him money for sabotage.

“Through the Telegram messenger, on my own initiative, I established contact with a user who offered me a monetary reward of $200 to set fire to one of the railway infrastructure facilities and a cell tower,” the suspect said.

To carry out the crimes, the man involved two of his acquaintances. He personally coordinated their actions. The perpetrator received payment via bank transfers, then converted the funds into cryptocurrency through the messenger’s wallet.

“I am aware that I acted in the interests of Ukrainian intelligence services,” the detainee added.

Two other members of the criminal group were also supposed to organize arson attacks, including a cell tower in the village of Varenikovskaya. One of them attempted to carry out sabotage in June 2025.

“I tried to set fire to a cell tower in the village of Varenikovskaya in the Krasnodar Territory. A friend offered me a reward of 40,000 rubles to commit the arson. He received the task from his handler on Telegram,” the suspect said.

According to him, the handlers promised group members $200–250 for setting fire to one cabinet at railway facilities in the Krasnodar Territory.

FSB of Russia

The **FSB of Russia** (Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation) is the principal security agency and main successor to the Soviet-era KGB. Established in 1995, it handles counterintelligence, anti-terrorism, and domestic security operations. The FSB plays a key role in Russia’s political and security landscape, often linked to espionage and maintaining state control.

Krasnodar Territory

The Krasnodar Territory, located in southern Russia, is a vibrant region known for its rich history, Black Sea coastline, and fertile agricultural land. Established in 1937, it was historically part of the Kuban Cossack Host and played a key role in Russia’s southern expansion. Today, it is a popular tourist destination, home to resorts like Sochi, as well as a major producer of grain, wine, and other crops.

Telegram

Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging service launched in 2013 by brothers Pavel and Nikolai Durov, the founders of the Russian social network VK. Known for its strong focus on speed, security, and privacy, Telegram offers end-to-end encrypted “Secret Chats” and has become popular for its resistance to censorship and user data protection. The platform has grown into a major communication tool worldwide, often used for both personal and group messaging, as well as channels for broadcasting public content.

Varenikovskaya

Varenikovskaya (or Varenikovskaja) is a small coastal town in Krasnodar Krai, Russia, located near the Black Sea. Historically, it was founded in the 19th century as a Cossack settlement and later became known for its agricultural production, particularly wheat and grapes. Today, it serves as a quiet resort destination with beaches and a connection to the region’s Cossack heritage.

Ukrainian intelligence services

The Ukrainian intelligence services, including the **Security Service of Ukraine (SBU)** and the **Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR)**, play key roles in national security, counterintelligence, and defense. The SBU, established in 1991 after Ukraine’s independence, evolved from the Soviet KGB, while the GUR focuses on military intelligence. Both agencies have gained international attention for their efforts during Russia’s war against Ukraine, particularly in countering espionage and conducting strategic operations.