Recruitment and Sentencing of Saboteurs Linked to Ukraine
In a significant ruling, the Second Eastern Military Court has sentenced 13 members of a criminal group involved in sabotage activities aimed at the Russian Aerospace Forces. The defendants, including 11 Russian citizens and two Central Asians aged between 18 and 25, were found guilty of preparing a terrorist act and committing acts of sabotage, including the arson of Russian Railways infrastructure. Four of the saboteurs received lengthy sentences of 19 to 23 years in a maximum-security penal colony, while others faced terms ranging from 8.5 to 16 years. One accomplice was sentenced to four years in prison.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) reported that these individuals were recruited by Ukrainian special services, with incentives ranging from 15,000 to 100,000 rubles for their criminal actions. The FSB has expressed concerns about the ongoing recruitment efforts by Ukrainian operatives, targeting vulnerable groups such as young people and marginalized individuals. The agency has released confessions from the convicted saboteurs, revealing their motivations, including financial gain and the promise of substantial rewards for committing acts of sabotage.
One of the defendants detailed a chilling account of how he and others were instructed to destroy military aircraft, with a promised payment of 12 million rubles for such actions. This alarming trend highlights the increasing risks posed by external influences on national security and the potential for further destabilization in the region.
Legal Actions Against Foreign Journalists
In a related development, the FSB has initiated criminal cases against foreign journalists for illegal border crossings in the Kursk region. Notably, reporters from France 24 and SN Media are among those charged under Article 322 of the Russian Criminal Code. Since mid-August, a total of 14 foreign journalists have faced legal action for similar offenses, underscoring the stringent measures taken by Russian authorities against foreign media operations. The penalties for these violations can include imprisonment for up to five years, reflecting the heightened scrutiny and control over foreign reporting activities in Russia.
