Russian Intelligence Operatives Charged by DOJ in Connection to Terrorism, Murder-for-Hire Plots

Russians intelligence operatives believed to be part of a global assassination network operating in the United States were charged Sept. 15 in connection with murder-for-hire plots in the United States and with terrorism against civilian and military infrastructure in Europe perceived to be aligned with Ukraine.

The wanted suspects allegedly attempted to recruit U.S. citizens and foreigners to carry out killings at the request of the Kremlin, according to Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg.

The defendants remained at large Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said.

“The charges announced today represent the culmination of extraordinary work by multiple FBI field offices, components, and partner agencies that collectively disrupted Russia’s attempts to conduct violent acts in our nation’s capital and throughout the United States,” Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Darren B. Cox said.

Three of the defendants are high-ranking members of the Russian Intelligence Services.

Yuri Khrameev, known as “Colonel Yuri,” 63, of Russia, is a former colonel in the services and has allegedly helped recruit several people to commit murder against perceived Russian dissidents, according to the DOJ.

Kirill Khrameev, 27, of Russia, is an officer in the Federal Security Service of Russia and Yuri Khrameev’s son.

The third high-ranking member is Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, 35, a Cuban national and an influential member of the Cuban diaspora living in Russia. He has coordinated attacks for the Russian Intelligence Services, according to DOJ officials.

Another defendant charged is Yodel Delgado Suarez, also known as “Viking,” 35, of Cuba, who is a prolific recruiter for the Russian Intelligence Services network. Suarez has allegedly recruited or tried to recruit multiple people in the United States.

Defendant Eduardo Castro, 22, of Venezuela, is suspected of working with Suarez in the recruitment of U.S.-based assassins to surveil and try to murder a prominent U.S.-based Russian dissident.

“It is our job to stop America’s adversaries from unleashing violence and terror on American soil,” Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement. “And that’s precisely what we are doing thanks to the work of the FBI and our Justice Department prosecutors.”

The Russian intelligence network has allegedly carried out or conspired to carry out multiple schemes around the world, according to the DOJ.

This summer, the network allegedly recruited a U.S. resident to monitor and murder a prominent Russian dissident they thought was living in the United States. Prosecutors say Suarez sent the hired resident to two locations to surveil the victim, gave his accomplice instruction about how to conduct the surveillance, and promised the resident between $1,000 and $1,500 to carry out the surveillance.

The resident allegedly returned several photos and videos to Suarez, according to the DOJ. Suarez and Castro are accused of offering the recruited resident another $40,000 to “eliminate” or “disappear” the victim, the DOJ said. They also allegedly indicated they had other targets within the United States.

Kirill Khrameev is accused of recruiting a U.S. citizen to travel to a victim’s home to take photos for money. His father, Yuri Khrameev, offered the person $25,000 to kill the victim, according to prosecutors.

Durruthy is accused of coordinating travel and logistics for the network, and for orchestrating a terror attacks in Prague, Czechia, and in Lithuania.

Both Khrameevs, Durruthy, Suarez, and Castro are charged with participating in a conspiracy to finance terrorism, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

The elder Khrameev, Suarez, and Castro are also charged with participating in a conspiracy to commit murder for hire, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

“We will stamp out any foreign intelligence services’ attempt to operate freely in our great Nation, and we will not rest until they and their enablers suffer the most severe consequences that federal law can levy,” Eisenberg said.