Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB, said it had prevented a large-scale terrorist attack targeting the Rostov-Centralny military airfield in the Rostov Region.

According to the agency, Ukrainian military intelligence attempted to recruit a Russian citizen by offering him a financial reward. He was instructed to organize strikes against the airfield’s infrastructure, aircraft stationed at the site and military personnel.

The planned attack was to involve 13 FPV drones equipped with artificial intelligence systems. Each unmanned aircraft carried one kilogram of explosives.

The plot came to light after the man approached a regional FSB office on his own and reported that he had received an offer from a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. His subsequent communications with the Ukrainian side continued under the supervision of Russian security officers.

The handler later provided the coordinates of a cache containing the drones, along with instructions for carrying out the attack. The aircraft were located and neutralized.

The prospective attacker also received an advance payment equal to 20% of the amount he had been promised. Contact with Ukrainian military intelligence was then terminated.

The FSB also cited provisions of Russian law governing voluntary cooperation with the authorities. A person involved in preparing a terrorist attack may be exempted from criminal liability if they warn officials in time or otherwise help prevent the crime, provided their actions do not constitute another offense.

Criminal liability may also be avoided when a person voluntarily and definitively abandons the plan before it is carried out.