Russia Claims Foiled Assassination Bid Targeting Crimea Head, Suspect Arrested: Report

Following a successfully defended attack on the Moscow-installed head of the Crimean peninsula, Russia's Federal Security Service arrested a person who is suspected to be behind the attack.

Russia's Federal Security Service foiled a Ukrainian attack on the Moscow-installed head of the Crimean peninsula and arrested a suspect, reported Russian news agencies on Monday. Russian state-run agency TASS while citing an FSB statement reported, "An assassination attempt organised by Ukraine's special services targeting the head of the Republic of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, was foiled."

The FSB in a statement said that the suspected person was "a Russian national born in 1988 who had been recruited by officers of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU)". The statement further read that the suspect was detained while "removing the explosive device from its hiding place".

The attacked peninsula has been a regular target of strikes and attacks by the Ukrainians. Ukraine has allegedly attacked several Russian-installed officials over the past few months.

Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 after a referendum widely regarded as a sham by Kyiv and Western countries, reported news agency AFP.

Kremlin Tightlipped On Russian Army Gen With Ties To Wagner Chief, Daughter Denies Reports Of His Arrest

The claim comes just days after news surfaced regarding Russian army general Sergei Surovikin close to the Wagner group being questioned by the security services. The Kremlin, however, turned down questions about the whereabouts of the officer. Earlier, US intelligence on Wednesday claimed that Surovikin had prior knowledge of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s rebellion wherein Wagner group mercenaries captured the city of Rostov and moved on to Moscow before cutting an amnesty deal.

Surovikin had previously led the invasion force in Ukraine. The well-known connection between Surovikin and Prigozhin has fuelled murmurs that the Russian army general could be purged or put under investigation for supporting the Wagner uprising.

According to The Guardian, Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, when asked if the Kremlin could clarify the situation with Surovikin, said: “No, unfortunately not. So I recommend that you contact the defence ministry. This is its prerogative.”

The spokesperson also declined to answer a question on whether Surovikin retained Putin’s confidence.

The Wagner group chief had worked closely with Surovikin during Russia’s military intervention in Syria and previously described the general as a “legendary figure”.

However, when Prigozhin launched his rebellion, the Russian Army General made a statement against it in support of the Russian government late on Friday.