Russian security services arrested a sailor from the Russian navy on charges of plotting to plant a mine to blow up a Black Sea Fleet’s warship.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said today that the sailor was recruited by Ukrainian special forces to “carry out a terrorist attack on a missile warship of the Black Sea Fleet”.
The FSB added that the sailor was carrying two improvised explosive devices when he was arrested. However, unlike previous arrests of suspected sabotage, the FSB did not include photos or videos related to the sailor.
Russian naval ships anchored in a bay in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol in 2014. Photo: Reuters
FBS also accused the sailor of sharing state secrets with Ukraine, according to Interfax . He faces charges of terrorism, treason, illegal trafficking in explosives and disclosure of state secrets. If convicted, the sailor could face a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Russian state media on the same day quoted the FSB source as saying that the court had sentenced two people to 15 years in prison for being accused of spying for Ukraine.
Ukraine’s navy said on July 27 that seven Russian warships, including one carrying Kalibr cruise missiles, were on a combat mission in the Black Sea.
Since Russia started the war in Ukraine , warships of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet have repeatedly launched Kalibr cruise missiles against targets in Ukraine. However, the Black Sea Fleet also suffered a number of losses such as the sinking of the cruiser Moskva in April last year, which seriously affected the unit’s air defense capabilities.
