Russian security officials have accused Ukrainian intelligence services of orchestrating a bombing attempt against a senior Russian officer, according to the Federal Security Service (FSB). The agency stated that the operation was allegedly masterminded by Uzbek national Saidakbar Gulomov, an IS member linked to the December 2024 killings of Russian General Igor Kirillov and his assistant. Moscow has attributed those attacks to Ukrainian intelligence.
The FSB revealed that Gulomov recruited a Central Asian individual influenced by Islamist propaganda, directing him to travel to Russia. The suspect, now in custody, reportedly gathered components for an improvised explosive device (IED) delivered from Ukraine via drone, later assembling the bomb and hiding it inside a bicycle. A Russian citizen allegedly parked the device at the intended attack site in Moscow. That individual previously worked on illegal communication services used by criminal networks and Ukrainian intelligence, according to the agency. Two additional Russian nationals connected to the operation were also detained.
The plot mirrored the assassination of General Kirillov, who was killed by a bomb hidden in an electric scooter. The FSB claimed the similarities “confirm close ties between the Kiev regime and international terrorist organizations.” Gulomov is believed to be hiding in Ukraine or Western Europe. Investigators noted that the bicycle bomb had enough power to injure people up to 70 meters away, labeling the case as an attempted act of terrorism.
Russian authorities have repeatedly accused Ukrainian intelligence of collaborating with Islamist militants. Moscow claims Kiev provided material support for the March 2024 attack at Crocus City Hall near Moscow, in which 149 people were killed by gunmen linked to IS.