FSB says prevents Ukrainian bombing plot against prominent security official in Moscow

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. The Federal Security Service (FSB) has prevented a Ukrainian bombing plot against a senior law enforcement official in Moscow, the FSB said. "The Federal Security Service in Moscow prevented a high-profile terrorist attack planned by the SBU against a high-ranking leader in the law enforcement system," it said in a statement. "A suspicious electric scooter was found parked near the entrance to a business center, and in the trunk there was a powerful improvised explosive device. The SBU planned to detonate the explosive device remotely during a visit by the target of the attack to said business center." Detonation of an explosive device "could lead to a large number of civilian casualties," it said. Equipped with a bomb disguised as a household charging station, the electric scooter was identified "during measures to protect critically important and strategic facilities, ensure the safety of military personnel, law enforcement officers and government representatives." FSB explosives experts seized an improvised explosive device loaded with 1.5 kg of plastic explosives, damaging elements in the form of bolts and nuts, controlled via a WiFi relay of a smart home system and a 4G modem at the site of the crime. "A similar tactic was used by the enemy when committing a road attack using an improvised explosive device mounted on an electric scooter, which resulted in the deaths of the chief of the Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Forces troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Kirillov and his assistant, Major Polikarpov," the FSB said. The FSB Investigative Service for Moscow and the Moscow Region has opened a criminal case under Article 222.1 of the Criminal Code (illegal transfer, acquisition, sale, storage, transportation, transfer or carrying of explosives or explosive devices) with further qualification under Part 2 of Articles 30, 205 of the Criminal Code (preparation for a terrorist act). "Measures have been organized to search for persons involved in hiding the improvised explosive devices and bring them to criminal responsibility," the FSB said. "All persons who have consented to assist a foreign state will be identified, brought to criminal responsibility and punished as they deserve."