Teen Arrested in Kaliningrad for Alleged Church Attack Linked to Ukrainian Intelligence

On Tuesday, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced the detention of a 17-year-old in the Kaliningrad region, who is accused of attempting to carry out an attack on a Russian Orthodox church.

The FSB stated that the youth, whose identity was not revealed, had been recruited through Telegram by a so-called “terrorist organization,” which they claimed was linked to Ukrainian intelligence agencies.

According to the law enforcement agency, the teenager’s “unlawful actions were prevented” just as he was about to execute his plans near the church. They did not disclose the name or location of the church involved.

FSB officials reported that they confiscated “terrorist devices” and a mobile phone that the teenager reportedly used to interact with a contact.

State media released a video from the FSB showing masked officers restraining the teenager on the ground. In the footage, he states his intention to “burn the church down.”

Russia’s Investigative Committee, which looks into significant crimes, has announced a terrorism investigation and confirmed that the teenager is currently in custody while efforts are made to identify additional individuals who may be connected.