The FSB announces that it has intercepted 27 bombs hidden in icons, sent from Ukraine through Romania to Russia. VIDEO

The Russian Federal Security Service announced on Tuesday that it intercepted 27 Ukrainian explosive devices hidden in icons and the cargo also passed through Romania on the route Ukraine – Romania – Hungary – Slovakia – Poland – Lithuania – Latvia – Russia. The explosive seized was enough to blow up a five-story building, according to the FSB.

By the Observator editorial team on 04.02.2024, 13:40

The Russian security services (FSB) announced on Tuesday that they seized dozens of kilograms of explosives originating from Ukraine, hidden in icons and other church objects that were transiting through the EU, including Romania. The Russian authorities also published a video with the alleged bomb icons.

In total, the Russian security service claims to have captured 27 explosive devices, 70 kilograms of high explosives and 91 detonators.

The explosives were seized during an inspection of a shipment of icons and religious objects in the Pskov region (northwest), on the border between Russia and Latvia, the FSB said in a statement.

The Russian security services welcomed the fact that they thus put an end to the “cross-border trafficking of explosives from Ukraine through European Union countries”.

According to the FSB, the explosives were transported to Russia from Ukraine through Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.

In total, 70 kilograms of homemade explosives were confiscated, as well as improvised explosive devices “hidden in icons and ready to be used”, according to the same source.

A person suspected of being involved in this trafficking has been arrested, but the FSB has not provided information on his identity and role.

“All the organizers and accomplices of this crime, including foreign citizens, will be the subject of a search warrant and will be prosecuted according to Russian law,” said the FSB.