Russia says prevented 'sabotage' of energy facility in Crimea
Russia's FSB domestic security agency said Wednesday it had detained a Russian-Ukrainian citizen suspected of planning to "sabotage" an energy infrastructure site in annexed Crimea.
Russian lawmakers this week toughened penalties for "terrorism" and sabotage as Moscow pursues its military offensive against Ukraine.
The FSB in the city of Kerch "prevented the preparation of sabotage at a facility of the energy system of the peninsula," annexed from Ukraine in 2014, it said in a statement.
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"A citizen of Russia and Ukraine, born in 1971, who was involved in the preparation of this crime, was detained," the statement said.
According to the FSB, the suspect was being held for planning to commit "sabotage" and "possession of explosives or explosive devices".
The charges carry a possible life sentence, the FSB said.
It also said the suspect was in contact "with a representative of Ukraine's security services, who coordinated his criminal activities".
FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov this month accused Ukraine and Western powers of inciting Russians to armed rebellion.
President Vladimir Putin also accused Western security services of being involved in "terrorist" attacks in Russia.
In early April, Russia detained a young woman after an explosion killed a top military blogger in Saint Petersburg, blaming Ukraine and the opposition.
