US accuses Russia of trying to kill Ukrainian allies overseas

September 16, 2026

The US Department of Justice has filed charges against five individuals with alleged connections to Russian Intelligence Services for conspiring to murder Ukrainian supporters and Russian dissidents in America and Europe. The accused include high-ranking Russian intelligence officers, a father-son duo named Yuri and Kirill Khrameev, along with three others who allegedly attempted to recruit people by offering substantial payments ranging from $1,000 to $40,000 for surveillance and assassination tasks. None of the suspects are currently in custody, and the Kremlin has dismissed the accusations as lacking credible evidence.

Who is affected

Ukrainian allies and supporters in the US and Europe
Russian dissidents living in the United States
An individual in Lithuania described as "telling lies about Russia"
A prominent US-based Russian dissident targeted for murder
US citizens recruited or approached for recruitment to conduct surveillance and assassinations
An American-Ukrainian citizen in Warsaw who was previously targeted

What action is being taken

The US Department of Justice is charging five men with conspiracy to finance terrorism
Three defendants (Khrameev senior, Suarez, and Castro) are being charged with conspiracy to commit murder for hire
The FBI is investigating the conspiracy to intimidate, threaten, or murder people on US soil and around the world

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing efforts by foreign adversaries to conduct violent operations on American soil and against US allies abroad, threatening national security and the safety of dissidents and Ukrainian supporters. The accusations demonstrate that Russia allegedly continues targeting individuals it perceives as threats, even in sovereign nations, undermining international norms and the rule of law. The timing is particularly significant as it contrasts with recent diplomatic engagement between the US and Russia under the Trump administration.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC