FACTBOX: What we know about arrest of terrorist network administrator in Dagestan

Lead

A minor has been detained in Dagestan on suspicion of creating and administering an online community linked to terrorist organizations, according to the Federal Security Service (FSB). The FSB’s Public Relations Center said the detainee recruited teenagers, in coordination with Ukrainian special services, to attack schools and spread false reports about bombing threats.

Coverage Comparison

TASS reported that the FSB, together with the Interior Ministry and the Investigative Committee, detained a minor Russian citizen who founded and administered one of the largest international online networks of supporters of terrorist organizations. According to the FSB, the activity was directed and coordinated by Ukrainian special services. The detainee allegedly administered online resources promoting terrorist ideology with an audience of over 200,000 users, of whom about 5,000 were active participants.

In a separate TASS report, Investigative Committee representative Svetlana Petrenko said that investigators seized an archive of correspondence with accomplices from Russia, the US, and European countries. During interrogation, the minor confirmed involvement in promoting the “Columbine” movement and preparing an attack on a Domodedovo school, as well as similar crimes in other regions.

Key Claims

The FSB reports that the detainee’s activity was aimed at recruiting Russian teenagers to carry out armed attacks on educational institutions, terrorist attacks on transport infrastructure, and to spread false reports about bombing threats targeting public facilities. At least three Ukrainian citizens participated in these activities.

The FSB says the detainee’s involvement in organizing at least 15 terrorist crimes across ten Russian regions has been confirmed, and that all perpetrators have been detained. The criminal activity was financed by Ukrainian special services and operatives, with additional rewards promised for murders with the highest number of victims.

According to the FSB, the detainee and his handlers expanded terrorism worldwide. In 2025–2026, community members organized arson and damage to more than 20 civilian vehicles and a church in the US and European countries, and spread false reports about mining facilities. Terrorist activity abroad was coordinated by Ukrainian agents, with recruitment materials produced in Kiev.

The Investigative Committee representative said that an archive of correspondence with accomplices from Russia, the US and European countries, along with photos and videos of terrorist acts, was seized during the investigation.

Perspectives

This article is based on reporting by the Russian state news agency TASS, which attributes claims to the FSB’s Public Relations Center and Investigative Committee representative Svetlana Petrenko. No independent sources or alternative perspectives were available in the provided material.