Russian security services have stopped a dangerous bombing attempt that targeted Mikhail Filippov, the leader of a volunteer group that trains military personnel in drone operations. The plot was uncovered just in time, and thankfully, no one was injured.
The bomb was hidden inside a frame for an award letter, which was being delivered to Filippov in Moscow. The courier who was supposed to deliver the frame, along with the person handling the bomb, were both caught by Russian security agents during the operation. The bomb was safely defused before it could do any harm.
According to Vitaly Romanov, a project manager from the Archangel group, which Filippov leads, the attack was carried out by Ukrainian intelligence services. The goal was to kill Filippov, a key figure behind Archangel, which was established in 2022 to train military personnel in operating drones. The group also develops unmanned aerial systems for military use.
This foiled plot is part of a larger series of assassination attempts on high-ranking Russian officials. The Federal Security Service (FSB) revealed that they had stopped several other planned attacks targeting military leaders and their families. In one of these attempts, a bomb was disguised as a folder, meant to be used against a Russian Defense Ministry official. Another bomb was hidden in a power bank, aimed at a military officer’s car.
In addition to these plots, the FSB has uncovered secret stash houses in the Moscow region, where explosives were hidden, likely for future attacks. Several people have been arrested in connection with these plots, and investigations are ongoing.
Since the war in Ukraine began in 2022, there have been several high-profile assassinations of individuals in Russia who are seen as supporters of Moscow’s stance on the conflict. Just last week, General Igor Kirillov, a senior Russian official, and his assistant were killed in a bomb attack in Moscow. Authorities quickly arrested the suspect behind that attack.
These events show just how high the stakes have become in this ongoing conflict, with both sides using increasingly dangerous tactics to make their points.
