A suspect in the preparation of a terrorist attack has been arrested in Adygea.

A court in Maykop has remanded in custody a citizen of Ukraine and Russia accused of plotting to set fire to a volunteer group building.

"Caucasian Knot" reported that in southern Russia, following the outbreak of large-scale military operations in Ukraine, arson attacks on military registration and enlistment offices and railway relay cabinets have repeatedly occurred. A wave of such arsons, in particular, was recorded after the announcement of partial mobilization in Russia. On September 30, 2022, General Staff spokesman Vladimir Tsimlyansky stated that the arsons of military registration and enlistment offices will be classified as terrorist attacks; investigators also sometimes apply the sabotage statute to such cases.

The accused is 63 years old and holds Russian and Ukrainian citizenship. According to Russian security officials, he was recruited by members of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in a Ukrainian city.

"He gave written consent to confidential assistance from the SBU and chose a pseudonym. Communication with his SBU handlers was maintained via the Telegram messenger," the United Court Service of Adygea stated.

According to the prosecution, in February, the man was tasked with selecting a target for arson in Adygea for the purpose of "intimidating the local population," pressuring Russian authorities to withdraw troops from Ukraine, and "terminating a special military operation."

The target of the alleged arson was a building belonging to a volunteer group, after which the man received instructions on how to prepare an incendiary mixture and how to conceal it. He was also instructed to document the arson by filming a video and sending the recording to his supervisor.

The accused, according to security officials, purchased glass bottles containing flammable liquid, a plastic canister (also containing some "liquid"), a black balaclava, a lighter, and a folding knife. FSB officers detained him en route "to the scene of the alleged crime."

The Maykop City Court remanded the accused in custody until April 20. 2026. The "Caucasian Knot" does not yet have comments from the accused or his lawyer regarding the prosecution's version of events.