US authorities have charged five people over alleged plots linked to Russian intelligence services to monitor and assassinate Russian dissidents and conduct attacks in the United States and Europe, according to a federal indictment.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg said the suspects allegedly formed part of an international network involved in assassination-related activities that extended into the US.
The defendants were identified as Russian nationals Yuri Khrameev, 63, and his son Kirill Khrameev, 27; Cuban nationals Oemis Romagoza Durruthy and Yaidel Delgado Suarez, both 35; and Venezuelan national Angel Eduardo Castro, 22.
All five face charges of conspiring to finance terrorism. The elder Khrameev, Suarez and Castro also face allegations of conspiring to commit murder for hire. The US Justice Department said none of the defendants had been arrested and all remain at large.
According to prosecutors, the alleged Russian Intelligence Services Network has been active since at least 2024 and focused on Russian dissidents and defectors living in the US and Europe.
In one alleged operation during July and August, Suarez and Castro reportedly recruited a Brooklyn resident to monitor two sites connected to a prominent Russian dissident believed to be based in the Washington, DC, area.
Prosecutors said the recruit was offered between $1,000 and $1,500 to photograph and record the locations. An additional $40,000 was allegedly offered to kill or make the target disappear.
The indictment also accuses members of the network of organizing attacks in Europe, including operations in the Czech Republic and Lithuania in 2024 against infrastructure in countries considered supportive of Ukraine.
Durruthy allegedly handled travel arrangements and logistics for individuals involved in those operations, while prosecutors identified Suarez as a recruiter for the alleged network.
The investigation was carried out by FBI offices in New York and Washington, with support from Homeland Security Investigations.
The allegations have not been proven in court. All five defendants are presumed innocent unless they are found guilty.
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