Russian authorities have placed personnel from the Federal Security Service (FSS), the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), and the National Guard on heightened alert in an effort to prevent acts of sabotage and terrorism in Moscow and the surrounding region. The move, announced on March 24 by the FSS press service, is linked to what officials describe as threats orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services.

According to the agency, the decision was taken to strengthen operational readiness and reduce the risk of diversionary attacks, with security units shifted to an intensified duty regime.

Earlier that morning, officials reported thwarting an attempt by Ukrainian operatives to gain access to drones used by the Russian military. The plan, as described by authorities, involved equipping these UAVs with explosives and using them to strike preselected targets in Moscow.

On the same day, law enforcement detained a foreign national in the capital who had brought in six boxes of improvised explosive devices from Poland. The explosives had been concealed as heated shoe insoles and were intended to be shipped to Russian military units in the special military operation zone under the guise of humanitarian aid.

Investigators say the devices were designed to detonate when connected to a power source, with the blast capable of causing severe injuries, including traumatic loss of parts of the lower limb.