FSB Says Right Sector Activists Planned Terrorist Attacks in Crimea

May 30, 2014

Russia's Federal Security Service has detained several members of the Ukrainian ultranationalist group Right Sector for allegedly planning terrorist attacks in Crimea.

Members of the group had been planning to blow up vital infrastructure in Simferopol, Yalta and Sevastopol, investigators said, adding that they had also intended to burn down the offices of a Russian public organization and a branch of the United Russia political party, Itar-Tass reported Friday .

Investigators said the men had been conspiring to plant bombs at the Eternal Flame and the monument to Lenin in Simferopol on May 9, the popular Victory Day holiday marking Russia's victory over Nazi Germany.

It was unclear why none of the plans came to fruition. During searches of the suspects' homes, police reportedly discovered explosives, firearms, ammunition, canisters of incendiary materials, respirators, masks, balloons filled with paint and nationalist paraphernalia.

Charges have been filed against four individuals in the case, who investigators say are cooperating and have already provided confessions, Itar-Tass reported.

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