Russia detains minor over alleged Moscow attack plot after US warning
Russian authorities say a US tip-off helped them identify teenager suspected of planning attack at a Moscow park.
Key points
- Russia detained a teenager suspected of planning an attack at Moscow's Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve.
- The FSB said the US provided the warning that led to the detention.
- The US embassy had warned of a credible threat of a mass casualty event at the park.
Russian authorities have detained a teenager suspected of planning an attack at a popular Moscow park after receiving a warning from the United States, according to Interfax, citing the Federal Security Service (FSB). The suspect, a Russian citizen who has not been identified, was held over the alleged plot at the Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve in southern Moscow.
The detention followed a security alert issued by the US embassy in Moscow on Saturday, which warned of a "credible threat of a mass casualty event" at the palace and park complex. The embassy urged people to avoid the area and said the US government was coordinating with Russian authorities. The park was temporarily closed on Saturday.
What the FSB said
According to Interfax, the FSB said the suspect posted photos on TikTok wearing a balaclava and tactical clothing and holding what appeared to be an automatic weapon. The suspect also reportedly shared photos taken at the Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve with the caption: "I found a place."
The FSB said a search of the suspect's home uncovered the clothing and accessories seen in the photos. It also said the teen's phone showed searches related to terrorist attacks and mass killings, as well as a subscription to a neo-Nazi Telegram channel. Russia's Investigative Committee is considering what legal action to take, the FSB said.
We are grateful to the American side for providing the information.
— the FSB
Earlier US warnings
The US has warned Russia about potential attacks before, including in March 2024, weeks before an attack on a Moscow concert hall by an affiliate of the ISIL group that killed more than 140 people. The latest warning comes despite longstanding tensions between Washington and Moscow over Russia's war in Ukraine.
