The FSB detained a Russian national accused of plotting to assassinate the British ambassador on Ukraine's orders
Russia’s Federal Security Service announced the arrest of a Russian citizen who allegedly worked as a security guard at the British Embassy in Moscow and was gathering information to plan an attack against the British ambassador. The Russian intelligence agency claims that the man was acting on behalf of the Security Service of Ukraine.
The FSB also released a video showing the arrest, excerpts from the interrogation, and alleged correspondence between the suspect and Ukrainian blogger Dmytro Karpenko, known by the pseudonym “Apostle.”
At the end of the video, the Russian intelligence service showed screenshots of a document that allegedly contains information about employees of the British diplomatic mission in Moscow. However, the faces and last names of the employees in the released footage were blurred.
According to the Russian intelligence service, the detainee was gathering data on the addresses of British embassy staff, their vehicles, the diplomats’ meetings and trips, the mission’s security system, as well as events held there.
The FSB claims that the SBU allegedly planned to use the obtained information to “prepare and carry out sabotage and terrorist acts.”
Russian security officials stated that the alleged purpose of these actions was to frame Russia, drag the United Kingdom into a direct armed conflict with Moscow, increase arms supplies to Ukraine, and tighten sanctions against Russia.
According to the FSB, the detainee received his orders from Dmytro Karpenko (“Apostle”), who is known for recording interviews with Russian prisoners of war who were captured by Ukraine.
In a video released by the FSB, the man stated that he was directly involved in providing security for the British ambassador’s residence in Moscow.
According to him, in January he contacted Dmitry Karpenko and told him that he worked for the British Embassy.
“I was very interested in this information about the ambassador, his deputies, other diplomats, and the staff of the British Embassy and residence,” said the detainee.
He also claims that he asked his interlocutor why he needed this information.
“When I asked him why he needed all of this, he replied that the Ukrainian authorities were very interested in this information in order to carry out sabotage operations against the British ambassador in Moscow, the embassy, and the British residence,” the man stated.
At the same time, his statements do not suggest that he was directly offered to participate in the sabotage. Thus, the recording provided by the Russian side appears to indicate that the person he was speaking with allegedly told him about the plans of the Ukrainian special services.
The Russian security service reported that a criminal case had been opened against the detainee, whose identity has not been disclosed, under the article on treason.
The released footage also showed alleged screenshots of correspondence with Karpenko. They show the author’s messages expressing a desire to “switch sides to the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” as well as the use of certain Ukrainian words, including “hello” and “schedule.”
According to the FSB, the messages were accompanied by documents containing a list of residents at the British ambassador’s residence and information about events at the embassy.
At the end of the video, they showed what is claimed to be an internal list of staff at the British diplomatic mission, indicating their positions and duties. Personal data in the images was redacted.
According to a geolocation analysis by the publication “Agency,” which was referenced in reports about the incident, the detentions may have taken place on the territory of the former “ZIL” industrial zone in Moscow.
Russian authorities have previously accused Ukraine of allegedly planning sabotage or provocations intended to create grounds for accusing Moscow.
In March 2022, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that “Azov” fighters were allegedly preparing terrorist attacks against the U.S. and other Western embassies in Lviv.
In February 2025, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service also claimed that Kyiv was allegedly preparing attacks on Russian diplomatic missions abroad to derail negotiations between Russia and the U.S.
The FSB’s new allegations came amid a further deterioration in Moscow’s relations with Western countries. A few months earlier, the Russian intelligence agency had already warned Russian citizens that contact with British diplomats was allegedly prohibited.
The FSB’s claims regarding Ukraine’s involvement in planning sabotage and its alleged intentions to attack the British ambassador are currently the Russian side’s version of events and have not been independently confirmed.
As a reminder, on September 8, Russia launched a large-scale attack on Kyiv immediately after special envoys of the U.S. president left the Ukrainian capital. Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga highlighted this coincidence in timing.
On September 8, Russian troops struck the Kyiv–Sumy train with two “Shahed” missiles. The train had been stopped in advance, and passengers and crew members had been evacuated following a warning from the “Ukrzaliznytsia” monitoring team.
As a reminder, fires broke out at industrial facilities in the Kyiv region due to the Russian attack.
Russia also launched a massive attack on Kyiv, killing and wounding civilians.
Later, rescue workers showed the aftermath of the strikes on Kyiv.
Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, will moderate a panel discussion at the executive level at the 17th Middle East Banking Innovation Summit (MEBIS 2026), which will take place on September 16–17 at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai.
