4 Apr, 2025 15:04

Ukrainian terror plot against Russian cadets foiled – FSB

The security agency has apprehended a Russian serviceman allegedly recruited by Kiev’s intelligence services to stage an attack

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has thwarted a Ukrainian bomb plot targeting military cadets, the agency announced on Friday. A Russian serviceman recruited by Ukrainian intelligence was detained when he attempted to collect explosives for the planned attack, the agency said.

The FSB released footage of the arrest at an undisclosed location in Moscow Region, showing heavily armed agents pursuing the suspect in a remote area.The contents of the dead drop appeared to contain multiple pieces of plastic explosives, according to the video.

“A serviceman with the Russian Defense Ministry, recruited by the Ukrainian special services, who was involved in the preparation of a terrorist act in a dormitory where cadets of military universities live, was detained when he recovered components of an explosive device from a cache,” the FSB said in a statement.

The suspect has reportedly admitted his guilt, confirming he was recruited by Ukrainian intelligence to carry out the attack. The FSB said it had recovered the suspect’s correspondence with his Ukrainian handler detailing the bomb plot.

The serviceman faces criminal charges for preparing a terrorist attack and illegal possession of explosives. If found guilty, he could be jailed for up to 20 years.

Last month, the FSB reported that it had foiled a Ukrainian letter bomb plot, recovering multiple parcels containing improvised explosive devices camouflaged as perfume gifts. The bombs were rigged to detonate upon receipt, according to the agency.

At the time, the FSB said it detained a Russian citizen believed to have mailed the explosive perfume sets to Russian servicemen and government employees on the orders of his Ukrainian handlers.

https://www.rt.com/russia/615244-ukrainian-terror-plot-foiled/

4 Apr, 2025 17:39

Kremlin comments on envoy’s Washington talks

Kirill Dmitriev met with White House officials this week to discuss steps to restoring bilateral ties

The Kremlin said on Friday that a visit to Washington by President Vladimir Putin’s investment envoy signaled cautious optimism about normalizing relations between Russia and the US.

Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, traveled to Washington this week for a three-day visit to discuss steps toward restoring bilateral ties. He previously took part in talks in Riyadh and is the highest-ranking Russian official to go to the US since diplomatic visits were suspended in 2022.

Asked whether Dmitriev’s trip marked a confident step forward in relations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, “Let’s first wait for his return to Moscow.”

“There’s cautious optimism,” he said. “Work is painstaking and ongoing, including through different channels.”

Peskov saidsuch contacts were “very important”and that efforts to improve relations would continue.

Describing his meetings with White House officials, Dmitriev told reporters on Thursday thatRussia and the US had made “three steps forward” over the past two days.

He reportedly met with Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who has been one of the key US negotiators on Ukraine. NBC News reported that Dmitriev also held talks with Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Markwayne Mullin.

Dmitriev said discussions focused on gradually rebuilding cooperation severed by former President Joe Biden’s administration in 2022. The agenda included a possible partnership in the Arctic, the development of rare-earth minerals, and the resumption of direct flights between the countries.

Following the talks, Dmitriev said progress had been made towards resolving the Ukraine conflict, but warned that third parties were trying to derail normalization efforts initiated by Trump in February.

According to Dmitriev, Trump and his team have a better understanding of Moscow’s terms than his predecessor.

Trump on Thursday acknowledged Dmitriev’s visit and again called for an end to the war as soon as possible.

“We are spearheading the drive to get it done. Europe has not been successful in dealing with [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin, but I think I will be successful,” Trump told reporters.

He previously told NBC that he intends to talk with Putin again, potentially as soon as this week, following their previous conversation on March 18.

https://www.rt.com/news/615242-kremlin-dmitriev-washington-talks/

Sean Combs indicted on additional sex trafficking charges

APRIL 4, 202512:47 PM ET

Headshot of Isabella Gomez Sarmiento

Isabella Gomez

Sean Combs, the entertainment mogul who's been in custody since his September arrestfor charges including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy,faces two new counts as part of a superseding indictment filed in federal court on Thursday. The new charges expand the timeline of Combs' alleged crimes and could potentially result in a longer prison sentence.

The first new count alleges that Combs engaged in sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion between 2021 and 2024. The second alleges that within that same time period, Combs also transported multiple individuals — including an unnamed victim — "on multiple occasions with the intent that they engage in prostitution." Combs had already been indicted on counts of sex trafficking and transporting to engage in prostitution spanning from 2009 to 2018.

NPR reached out to Combs Global and to Combs' lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, and is awaiting comment on the new charges. In the past, Combs' representatives have denied all allegations against him; he has pleaded not guilty to two prior indictments.

The new indictment filed in the U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York still includes one count of racketeering conspiracy alleging that between 2004 and 2024, Combs Enterprises— including media, music, fashion and alcohol spirits companies — functioned as a criminal organization that facilitated and concealed Combs' alleged crimes. These include "a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals," including verbal, physical, emotional and sexual abuse that extended to his own employees. The charges allege that Combs Enterprises' activities violated U.S. racketeering laws through kidnapping, arson, bribery, forced labor and more.

Jury selection for Combs' trial is set to begin on May 5, with opening statements scheduled for May 12. In addition to federal charges, Combs faces more than two dozen civil lawsuits for sexual assault, rape, sex trafficking and more.

https://www.npr.org/2025/04/04/g-s1-58294/sean-diddy-combs-new-trafficking-charges