Ukrainian arson at Russian railway thwarted – FSB

A Ukrainian intelligence asset sought to disrupt railway traffic in the Crimean Peninsula by carrying out an arson attack, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) reported on Tuesday.

The suspect, a 29-year--old local resident, allegedly contacted the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) last year, offering his services. The alleged plot, which the FSB said it successfully thwarted, involved torching specialized equipment which is used to regulate the railway.

The would-be arsonist was caught red-handed at the scene of his planned crime near the Balaklava power plant in Sevastopol, the statement said. He is facing criminal charges for an attempted terrorist attack and clandestine work for a foreign power.

The FSB released pictures of the suspect, who was not identified by name, after he was taken into custody. He apparently had several liters of flammable fluids with him. When interrogated by Russian law enforcement, he said that the Ukrainians had offered him $1,000 to destroy the railway equipment after he proved he could access it by taking photos of the target.

Sevastopol, the home base of the Black Sea Fleet, is one of three cities in Russia which is considered an independent federal subject, along with Moscow and St. Petersburg. The FSB branch responsible for it also handles security issues elsewhere in the Crimean Peninsula. The agency regularly deals with Ukrainian sabotage plots.