Support The Moscow Times!

Russia Says 2,000 Relatives of Middle East Militants Pose Security Threat

FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov Kremlin.ru

Russia's FSB security service has identified 2,000 Russian nationals who are relatives of militants in the Middle East and could try to return to Russia, posing a terrorist threat, the FSB's head said on Thursday, the state-run RIA news agency reported.

FSB director Alexander Bortnikov's comments come weeks after an estimated 50 Russian women disappeared after fleeing from a prison camp for the wives and children of Islamic State fighters in northern Syria.

Bortnikov said such people try to reach Russia after leaving conflict areas in the Middle East via humanitarian corridors.

Islamic State is a terrorist organization banned in Russia.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more