Russia arrests foreigner on suspicion of attempting to conduct a drone reconnaissance over Moscow

Russian authorities have arrested a foreign national on suspicion of attempting to launch a reconnaissance drone over Moscow “to assist Ukrainian intelligence in planning an attack on the Russian capital,” according to Russian officials. The Federal Security Service (FSB) said it detained the man, whose nationality was not disclosed, in northern Russia while he was trying to flee on foot to neighboring Norway. On Friday, the agency released a video on state media showing masked operatives arresting a man walking on a dirt road in the dark. The video also showed an interrogation of the man, with his face blurred, as he spoke Russian with a heavy accent. In the published footage, the man identified himself as an expert in drones, artificial intelligence, and robotics. It was reported that the video “shows an explanation of the details of the Ukrainian plan.” The FSB stated that the man, who was acting under Ukrainian orders, “traveled to Moscow, where he conducted reconnaissance at one of the city’s railway stations, aiming to identify freight trains transporting petroleum products, as well as administrative buildings in the city center.” The agency added that the man was arrested in August and noted that he “has been working for Kyiv since 2023.” The Russian FSB also released images of a drone and electronic equipment, which it said were found in the apartment where the man was staying in Moscow.