Russia’s Federal Security Service said it had foiled preparations for a terrorist attack in Moscow targeting a high-ranking serviceman from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

According to the FSB, a Russian woman born in 2001 was detained as an alleged accomplice of Ukrainian intelligence services. The agency said the case was linked to a disrupted plan to carry out a series of drone attacks on Russian territory, with military facilities and Russian Defense Ministry personnel named among the intended targets. The FSB also alleged that Ukrainian special services and their Western handlers were involved in planning the attacks.

The woman was allegedly recruited in 2024 through WhatsApp*. Investigators say she was instructed to collect information and determine the location of sites in Moscow and St. Petersburg that were of interest to the opposing side.

During investigative actions, officers seized surveillance equipment, camouflage items and smartphones from the suspect. The FSB said correspondence with an employee of Ukrainian intelligence services was found on the devices.

According to the agency, in March 2026 the woman rented an apartment in Moscow while carrying out assigned tasks and installed video cameras there. The equipment was allegedly used to monitor the home address of the serviceman and his car, with the video feed transmitted to Ukraine. The suspect also filmed the locations where cameras had been installed near the officer’s residence and sent this information to her coordinator.

The FSB said the woman had admitted guilt and was cooperating with investigators. A court placed her in custody. The criminal case was opened under articles covering preparation for a terrorist attack and high treason. The agency stressed that punishment under these charges can involve long prison terms, including life imprisonment.

*WhatsApp is owned by Meta, whose activities are recognized as extremist and banned in Russia.