Russian FSB Claims to Foil ‘Assassination’ Plot Against Alleged Head of Occupied Crimea

The Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB) has announced the alleged “suppression of an assassination attempt” on Serhiy Aksyonov, the self-proclaimed leader of the illegally annexed Crimea, according to the Russian website Meduza on Monday, July 3. 

The FSB claims that the attempt was allegedly planned by a Russian Federation citizen born in 1988, who was supposedly “recruited by employees of Ukraine’s Secret Service (SBU).” According to the FSB, the individual underwent training in reconnaissance and subversive activities, including mine and explosives training, on “Ukrainian territory” – implying outside Crimea.

As per the FSB’s report, an “agent of a foreign special service” arrived in Crimea in June 2023 and began preparations for a terrorist attack, specifically targeting Aksyonov’s car.

However, the Russian special service stated: “The bomber did not have time to carry out his criminal intent, as he was detained while removing the explosive device from its hiding place.”

According to the FSB, the Russian suspect has been detained.

In November 2021, the Kyiv Court of Appeal granted permission to detain Serhii Aksyonov, the leader of the occupying regime in Crimea, who is accused by Ukraine of various criminal offenses, including separatism and terrorism.