An attack attempt on a defense industry CEO in Russia was foiled.

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced that a terrorist attack targeting the CEO of a major defense industry company in St. Petersburg had been thwarted. The statement also announced that a three-person cell linked to Ukrainian intelligence had been dismantled.

According to the FSB, the suspects were preparing to plant an improvised explosive device in the car of the targeted business executive. Two of those arrested reportedly received instructions from a structure affiliated with the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. The suspects reportedly conducted reconnaissance before the attack and obtained the explosive devices from a hidden location in a St. Petersburg cemetery.

A striking detail during the operation was that one cell member went to the crime scene dressed as a woman to deceive security forces. However, the individual was detained by the FSB while attempting to plant the bomb.

It was reported that the captured suspects admitted during their interrogations that they had planned a terrorist attack and that they had established contact with Ukrainian intelligence by communicating via Telegram.

It was reported that the detainees could receive life sentences as part of the case filed regarding the incident.