Russia Claims Foiled Drone Attack Involving Moldovan Citizens, Ukraine's SBU

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) claims it has foiled a drone attack targeting a strategic enterprise in the Moscow region, involving two citizens of Moldova allegedly acting under the direction of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU).

The FSB reported that the attack was intended to be carried out with 35 FPV drones, which were reportedly assembled in Kyiv and equipped with Canadian-made control systems. According to the Russian service, all drones were discovered and destroyed by a special unit before launch, and the incident resulted in no casualties or damage.

The FSB further alleges that the drones were illegally smuggled into Russia within a shipment of ceramic tiles from Spain, transiting through Slovakia and Poland with the "support of European special services." Russian authorities identified the two Moldovan citizens involved as Victor Pîrlog, born in 1986, and Aurel Calos, born in 1995. The FSB claims they were recruited by Ukrainian services and received special training before renting and outfitting a hangar for drone launches.

According to the Russian version, after preparing the location, the two individuals left the Russian Federation. The FSB also claims that Albert Vasiliev, described as a Ukrainian rapper and blogger, was involved in organizing the alleged attack. Additionally, the Russian service asserts that the SBU used children aged 13 to 16 to activate SIM cards for the drones used in the operation.

The FSB announced that the individual who rented the hangar, allegedly recruited by Kyiv for a sum of money, resisted arrest and was killed in a shootout, according to the publication NewsMaker. As of the time of reporting, Ukrainian authorities have not commented on the FSB's accusations. The publication NewsMaker also stated that it had requested a response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, but the institution had not yet provided one.