By Reuters Aug. 21, 2026 nac.gov.ru Russian law enforcement authorities have arrested eight people accused of plotting an attack on a Moscow-region defense enterprise and separately detained a foreign national for scouting government buildings and strategic infrastructure, state media reported Friday. Russia's FSB security service claimed the group of eight was found in possession of 35 explosive-equipped drones smuggled from the European Union, which were supposed to be used in an attack on a strategic defense facility in the Moscow region. Separately, the state news agency RIA Novosti reported that a foreign national was detained in the northwestern Murmansk region while attempting to cross the border into Norway. According to the FSB, that individual is suspected of spying on trains carrying petroleum products at a Moscow railway station and surveilling government buildings in the Russian capital. It did not say what country the foreign national was from. Russian authorities accused all nine individuals of operating on behalf of Ukrainian special services. Moscow routinely announces the detention of suspected Ukrainian agents. Ukraine has not commented on the most recent arrests. Read more about: FSB , Moscow region , Ukraine Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more FSB Accuses Ukraine of Plotting Bomb Attack With ISIS Against Senior Officer Four people were arrested in connection with the alleged bomb plot, including three Russian citizens and a Central Asian national. 2 Min read FSB Claims Ukraine Sought to Recruit Members of Russia's Youth Army Ukraine’s GUR intelligence service was accused of sending phishing emails to schools in Moscow and the surrounding region. 1 Min read Russia Jails 5 Ukrainians for Passing Military Intelligence to Kyiv The men were charged with treason and espionage after sharing information on the location and movements of Russian army units. 1 Min read Russia’s FSB Arrests Man Over Alleged Donations to Ukrainian Army The man is accused of trying to buy satellite communication equipment that would help Ukrainian artillery locate and fire on Russian military units. 1 Min read
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US allies unsure of Washington’s ability to defend them if necessary — newspaper
• What happened: US allies are expressing concerns about Washington's ability to defend them, particularly after military operations against Iran have repo...