FSB Arrests Kaluga Man Accused of Plotting Attack on Military Enlistment Office

Aug. 5, 2026 FSB officers arrest a man in the Kaluga region accused of plotting an attack on a military enlistment office. FSB Russia’s FSB security service said Wednesday that it arrested a man who was suspected of plotting an arson attack against a military enlistment office in the central Kaluga region on orders from Ukraine. In an FSB video aired by state media, the 22-year-old man, whose face was blurred, said an officer from Ukraine’s military intelligence service offered him money to carry out a series of criminal acts. “First, I was tasked with putting up graffiti discrediting the Russian government, and then burning down a military enlistment office,” the man said in the video, adding that he had been in contact with his handler for around a year before his arrest. FSB officers seized several canisters of flammable liquid along with electronic devices containing chat logs between the suspect and his handler, the law enforcement agency said. An FSB officer featured in the video said foreign handlers often start by assigning recruits basic tasks — such as collecting publicly available information and monitoring local developments — before escalating to higher-stakes attacks. The Kaluga man faces charges of planning to carry out an act of terrorism, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Read more about: FSB , Kaluga , Ukraine , Regions 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 Says It Foiled Ukrainian Plot to Kill Senior Russian Defense Ministry Official The FSB claimed it arrested a dual Ukrainian-Russian citizen, born in 1989 and known by the alias “Voron,” on a highway as he traveled toward the Moscow... 1 Min read FSB Arrests Romanian Suspected of Spying for Ukraine The unnamed man is accused of collecting and transmitting information about air defense sites in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi. 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 Says Border Facility Near Ukraine Destroyed in Shell Attack The Ukrainian military called Moscow's claim "fake news."