Russian Assassination Network: Washington Accuses 5 Individuals of Planning Killings of Opponents

The U.S. Department of Justice has revealed indictments against five individuals working on behalf of Russian intelligence agencies, charged with carrying out attacks and targeted killings worldwide, including within the United States, as part of a network described as a global assassination operation targeting Russian opponents and nations deemed allies of Ukraine.

According to the indictment, the Russian network paid or attempted to pay money to American and foreign citizens to carry out surveillance and targeted killings, and tasked its partners with committing terrorist acts against civilian and military infrastructure in European countries allied with Ukraine.

The department confirmed that the suspects remain at large.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg emphasized that the suspects operated within a Kremlin-linked assassination network seeking to recruit Americans and foreigners to carry out killings inside the United States, calling it a blatant violation of American sovereignty and a threat to national security.

Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jamie McDonald stressed that the United States will not tolerate any attempts to fund terrorism or carry out violence directed by foreign governments, affirming that the alleged Russian network was bold, aggressive, and aimed to cause chaos and destruction both within and beyond America.

Federal Bureau of Investigation officials in New York and Washington noted that the Russian network planned to intimidate or kill individuals within the United States, and joint efforts between FBI units and partner agencies have thwarted attempts to carry out violent acts in the U.S. capital and other cities.

The indictment states that the Russian network (RIS) conspired since 2024 to conduct attacks and killings globally, focusing on targeting Russian dissidents and countries supporting Ukraine. The charges indicate the network attempted to recruit individuals within the United States to carry out surveillance and assassination operations, offering sums up to $40,000 for targeted killings, including an prominent Russian opposition figure residing in America.

The list of suspects includes Yuri Khramyev (63), a former Russian intelligence colonel; Kirill Khramyev (27), an officer in Russia’s Federal Security Service; Ovimes Romaguzo Dorothy (35), a Cuban national residing in Russia; Yaidel Delgado Suarez (35), known as "Viking," a recruit for the network; and Angel Eduardo Castro (22), from Venezuela.