According to the press service of the agency, 'the illegal activities of four Russian citizens born in 1992, 2001, and 2004, who, on the instructions of Ukrainian special services, conducted reconnaissance, photo and video recording of transport and energy infrastructure facilities in the regions, set fire to law enforcement officers' cars, and damaged high-voltage power line supports, were suppressed'.
The FSB claims that the detainees were 'under the influence of phone scammers' and transferred large sums of money to 'safe accounts' — from 250 thousand to 1.5 million rubles. After that, 'individuals posing as law enforcement officers contacted them in messengers and, threatening criminal liability for financing the armed forces of Ukraine, coerced them into committing crimes under the pretext of participating in the verification of the anti-terrorist security of objects'.
Despite the fact that the special service acknowledged that the young people became victims of scammers, the security forces' statement says that the detainees face up to 20 years in prison, although it is unknown under which articles criminal cases have been initiated against them.