The Justice Department announced Tuesday that five individuals with alleged ties to Russian intelligence have been indicted for a plot to target people perceived as supportive of Ukraine, both in the United States and abroad. The indictment, filed by the FBI, accuses the men of attempting to hire U.S.‑based actors to surveil and, in some cases, murder Ukrainian allies on American soil.
Background and legal framing
Attorney General Todd Blanche framed the case as part of a broader effort to stop "America's adversaries from unleashing violence and terror on American soil." All five defendants are charged with participating in a conspiracy to finance terrorism, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. Three of the accused are described as "high‑ranking members of the RIS network," linking them directly to Russia's intelligence apparatus.
Who the defendants are
- Yuri Khrameev, 63 – a former colonel in Russian intelligence.
- Kirill Khrameev, 27 – an officer in the Federal Security Service (FSB).
- Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, 35 – a Cuban national identified as an influential member of the Cuban diaspora living in Russia.
- Yaidel Delgado Suarez, 35 – alleged recruiter.
- Angel Eduardo Castro, 22 – alleged recruiter.
The indictment states that the three senior figures are "high‑ranking members of the RIS network," while Suarez and Castro are accused of trying to enlist U.S. residents to carry out surveillance and murder.
Alleged plot mechanics
According to the Department of Justice, the conspirators offered between $1,000 and $1,500 to a U.S. individual for gathering surveillance on a Russian dissident residing in the United States. An additional sum of $40,000 was reportedly promised if the recruit would "eliminate" the target. The recruit ultimately declined, prompting Suarez to seek other U.S. participants and to propose "substantial sums of money" for future attacks.
The filing also references a 2025 incident in which Kirill Khrameev allegedly recruited a U.S. citizen to surveil and murder a person in Lithuania who was "telling lies about Russia." In that case, Yuri Khrameev is said to have offered $25,000 for the killing, citing motives such as "spreading dirt about my country" and "distorting history."
International dimension
While the indictment focuses on U.S. activities, it references related incidents in Europe. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently reported the detention of a Kremlin‑linked individual accused of plotting the murder of an American‑Ukrainian citizen in Warsaw. In 2024, German authorities were warned by U.S. intelligence about a Russian plot to kill Armin Papperger, the head of arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, though Moscow dismissed the claim as a "fake story."
Legal and diplomatic implications
If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years for the terrorism‑financing charge and up to 10 years for the separate "conspiracy to commit murder for hire" count. The case arrives amid a complex U.S.–Russia relationship, highlighted by recent high‑level intelligence talks involving former President Donald Trump and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Moscow will not comment until it sees "credible evidence" or "tangible facts."
Uncertainty and next steps
The indictment does not clarify the current whereabouts of the five men; they remain at large. The Department of Justice has not released details about any ongoing investigations into additional recruitment efforts, leaving open the possibility that other actors may be involved. Moreover, while the filing cites specific monetary offers and surveillance instructions, the extent to which these plans were operationalized remains unverified.
As the case proceeds, prosecutors will need to substantiate the alleged financial transactions and the identities of any U.S. participants. The broader narrative underscores ongoing concerns about foreign intelligence services seeking to influence or intimidate diaspora communities on American soil.
