Russia’s security service: power, secrecy, and state control
A homemade explosive device has detonated near the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow, killing at least three people — including an unidentified woman who carried the device and a security guard — and injuring more than a dozen. Investigators are still establishing the cause and motive.
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy has said intelligence indicates a large-scale attack may occur tonight, following overnight strikes that killed 22 people and injured about 130. Ukraine is appealing for air-defence missiles and other support as Russia continues deploying missiles and drones.
The United States has granted Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air-defence interceptors, addressing critical shortages but production will take months to years. Ukraine is pressing allies at NATO for faster and larger support amid ongoing Russian ballistic missile strikes that have damaged Kyiv and other cities.
EU and UK sanctions have broadened to seven individuals and two institutes in response to the use of chemical agents, including Novichok and epibatidine, in Salisbury and against Alexei Navalny. Foreign officials condemn Russia’s actions as a violation of international law and vow accountability.
The FBI director is planning a visit to Russia in the fall, with stops in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The trip would be the first by an FBI director to Russia since 2013, and hosts are likely to be the FSB. The move comes as lawmakers push for tougher sanctions over Ukraine and as U.S.-Russia tensions remain high.
Russia's FSB has announced charges and an international wanted notice for Pavel Durov, alleging Telegram failed to remove channels, chats and bots used by Ukrainian intelligence and "terrorist and extremist" groups to coordinate sabotage. Telegram posted an image of Durov reacting to the charge. Durov has denied wrongdoing and lives abroad with French and UAE passports.