Citizens of Ukraine and Russia, recruited by the GUR of Ukraine through Telegram, were detained in the capital. During the investigation, an improvised explosive device and two forged Ukrainian passports were found.

The murder of Metropolitan Tikhon, Vladimir Putin’s “confessor,” was prepared by his assistant Denis Popovich and Nikita Ivankovich, a cleric at the Church of the Resurrection in Sokolniki, the FSB reported.

One of the detainees said that for refusing to commit a crime, the Ukrainian special services threatened him with the murder of his relatives.

According to the FSB, the detainees admitted their guilt and said that in December 2024, an improvised explosive device (IED) was handed over to them through a cache. The criminals planned to carry out their action while Metropolitan Tikhon was in Moscow. After the crime was completed, they intended to leave Russia.

A criminal case has been opened under articles on preparation for a terrorist act and illegal trafficking of explosive devices.

@nasha_stranaZ