Moscow, Russia – The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced today that it had thwarted an attack targeting the main Transneft-Druzhba (Friendship) oil pipeline in the Lipetsk region of southwestern Russia.
A statement issued by the Federal Security Service, in cooperation with the Investigative Committee, stated that the activities of four minors aged between 14 and 17 years were suspended.
The statement, according to RIA Novosti, explained: “The illegal activity of four minors was stopped. They were planning to use a homemade explosive device to carry out acts of sabotage on the land section of the main Transneft-Druzba oil pipeline in the Lebedyansky district.”
Planning and external engagements
Russian security services reported that the teenagers contacted a representative of the Ukrainian intelligence service last October via a Telegram group. They asked him for money and promised a financial reward for carrying out his instructions.
Following these instructions, the detainees carried out previous acts of sabotage against transport and energy facilities. The Ukrainian intelligence representative also provided them with the coordinates of a cache containing explosive devices, which were intended to be used to blow up gas pipelines belonging to the oil pipeline.
The perpetrators were arrested while heading to the scene of the planned crime.
Teenage confessions
During the investigations, the teenagers admitted that they had previously set fire to relay cabinets, electrical substations, and transformer boxes in the area.
The investigation committee added that searches were conducted at the residences of the accused and they were formally arrested.
A criminal case has been opened on charges of planning a sabotage act, with the accused facing up to 20 years in prison. Investigators are currently working to determine the circumstances of the incident and to ascertain whether the detainees are involved in other crimes.
