US Charges Russians in Assassination Plots Against Dissidents
WHO:
CBS News - The indictment names the five defendants as Yuri Khrameev, Kirill Khrameev, two Cubans, and one Venezuelan, all believed to be living in Russia.
CBS News - Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg stated, "These defendants allegedly operated as part of a global assassination network that reached into the United States, attempting to recruit U.S. citizens and foreigners to carry out killings at the behest of the Kremlin."
CBS News - The indictment names the network as the "RIS Network."
CBS News - The indictment includes charges against three operatives: a Cuban, a Venezuelan, and Yuri Khrameev.
CBS News - The five defendants are believed to live in Russia and remain at large.
CBS News - Attorney General Todd Blanche provided details about the indictment during a briefing.
CBS News - Five individuals charged, including Yuri Khrameev, a 63-year-old former Russian intelligence colonel, his son Kirill, two Cubans, and one Venezuelan.
The Guardian - James Barnacle Jr., head of New York’s FBI office; Darren Cox, head of the Washington DC office of the FBI.
WHAT:
CBS News - The indictment states that the operatives believed the Russian dissident lived in the Washington, D.C., area.
CBS News - The indictment details that the operatives offered $40,000 to "eliminate" or "disappear" a target who was "spreading dirt about my country."
CBS News - The indictment describes an offer of $25,000 to kill a target who was "spreading dirt about my country."
CBS News - The indictment includes charges against all five defendants for terrorism finance conspiracy, and three of them for murder-for-hire conspiracy.
CBS News - The indictment describes communication between operatives and potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer.
CBS News - The operatives recruited individuals to conduct surveillance and offered monetary compensation for their involvement, including $1,000 to $1,500 for surveillance and $40,000 for murder.
CBS News - The indictment describes communication between operatives and potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer, with one Cuban recruiter stating, "Let me know as soon as possible because I have a chain and my boss has questions."
CBS News - The operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer.
CBS News - The operatives recruited individuals to conduct surveillance and offered monetary compensation for their involvement, including $1,000 to $1,500 for surveillance and $40,000 for murder.
CBS News - The indictment describes communication between operatives and potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The indictment states that the operatives offered $1,000 to $1,500 to a Brooklyn resident for surveillance work.
CBS News - The indictment details that the operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer.
CBS News - The indictment describes an offer of $25,000 to kill a target who was "spreading dirt about my country."
CBS News - The indictment states that the operatives believed the Russian dissident lived in the Washington, D.C., area.
CBS News - The indictment details that the operatives offered $25,000 to kill a target who was "spreading dirt about my country."
CBS News - The indictment includes charges against all five defendants for terrorism finance conspiracy, and three of them for murder-for-hire conspiracy.
CBS News - The indictment describes communication between operatives and potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer, with one Cuban recruiter stating, "Let me know as soon as possible because I have a chain and my boss has questions."
CBS News - The operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer.
CBS News - The operatives recruited individuals to conduct surveillance and offered monetary compensation for their involvement, including $1,000 to $1,500 for surveillance and $40,000 for murder.
CBS News - The indictment describes communication between operatives and potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The indictment states that the operatives offered $40,000 to "eliminate" or "disappear" a target who was "spreading dirt about my country."
CBS News - The indictment details that the operatives attempted to recruit a U.S. citizen in Lithuania last year, offering him $200 for surveillance and $25,000 for murder.
CBS News - The indictment describes an offer of $40,000 to "eliminate" or "disappear" a target who was "spreading dirt about my country."
CBS News - The indictment states that the operatives offered $25,000 to a U.S. citizen to kill a target in Lithuania who was "telling lies about Russia."
CBS News - The indictment details that the operatives attempted to recruit a U.S. citizen in Lithuania last year, offering him $200 for surveillance and $25,000 for murder.
CBS News - The indictment states that the operatives believed the Russian dissident lived in the Washington, D.C., area.
CBS News - The indictment details that the operatives offered $25,000 to kill a target who was "spreading dirt about my country."
CBS News - The indictment describes an offer of $40,000 to "eliminate" or "disappear" a target who was "spreading dirt about my country."
CBS News - The indictment includes charges against all five defendants for terrorism finance conspiracy, and three of them for murder-for-hire conspiracy.
CBS News - The indictment describes communication between operatives and potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer.
CBS News - The operatives recruited individuals to conduct surveillance and offered monetary compensation for their involvement, including $1,000 to $1,500 for surveillance and $40,000 for murder.
CBS News - The indictment describes communication between operatives and potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The indictment states that the operatives offered $1,000 to $1,500 to a Brooklyn resident for surveillance work.
CBS News - The indictment details that the operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer.
CBS News - The indictment describes an offer of $25,000 to kill a target who was "spreading dirt about my country."
CBS News - The indictment states that the operatives believed the Russian dissident lived in the Washington, D.C., area.
CBS News - The indictment details that the operatives offered $25,000 to kill a target who was "spreading dirt about my country."
CBS News - The indictment includes charges against all five defendants for terrorism finance conspiracy, and three of them for murder-for-hire conspiracy.
CBS News - The indictment describes communication between operatives and potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The indictment describes an offer of $40,000 to "eliminate" or "disappear" a target who was "spreading dirt about my country."
CBS News - Yuri Khrameev allegedly suggested to a U.S. citizen that he could instead get paid to set a warehouse or electrical substation on fire, offering "serious money for serious work."
The Guardian - The indictment states that the network had been active since at least 2024 and had previously focused on Russian dissidents and defectors but most recently targeted nations perceived to be allies of Ukraine.
The Guardian - The indictment accuses one of the Cuban defendants of booking hotels and travel for associates involved in failed arson attacks in Europe in 2024, including an attempt to set fire to buses in the Czech Republic and a plot against a Lithuanian facility supplying radio equipment to Ukraine.
CBS News - The indictment includes charges against all five defendants for terrorism finance conspiracy, and three of them for murder-for-hire conspiracy.
CBS News - The indictment describes an offer of $25,000 to kill a target who was "spreading dirt about my country."
CBS News - The Justice Department unsealed an indictment against the five individuals, accusing them of running a "global assassination network" targeting Kremlin critics.
CBS News - The indictment includes charges of terrorism finance conspiracy and murder-for-hire conspiracy against three of the defendants.
The Guardian - The network allegedly paid individuals in the U.S. and other countries to surveil targets for assassination and attempted to conduct acts of terrorism against infrastructure in Europe.
The Guardian - The indictment details a plot where a U.S. resident was offered $40,000 to "eliminate" a Russian dissident.
WHERE:
CBS News - The U.S. citizen met the younger Khrameev at the Estonia-Russia border.
CBS News - The U.S. citizen met the younger Khrameev at the Estonia-Russia border.
CBS News - The Brooklyn resident was recruited to surveil locations associated with a Russian dissident believed to be in the Washington, D.C., area.
CBS News - The U.S. citizen was recruited in Lithuania, where he met with the younger Khrameev at the Estonia-Russia border.
CBS News - The alleged murder plot took place on U.S. soil, specifically involving a Brooklyn resident and a Russian dissident believed to be in the Washington, D.C. area.
The Guardian - The network's activities were reported to have occurred in the United States and European nations supporting Ukraine.
WHEN:
CBS News - The murder-for-hire plot occurred in July and August of the current year.
The Guardian - The network has been active since at least 2024.
WHY:
CBS News - The indictment describes the network's recent focus on targeting nations perceived to be allies of Ukraine.
CBS News - The indictment describes the network's recent focus on targeting nations perceived to be allies of Ukraine.
CBS News - The alleged plots are described as attempts by a U.S. adversary to crack down on dissidents abroad, including in the U.S. and NATO-allied countries.
The Guardian - The network previously focused on Russian dissidents and defectors but has recently targeted nations perceived to be allies of Ukraine.
CBS News - The alleged plots are described as attempts by a U.S. adversary to crack down on dissidents abroad, including in the U.S. and NATO-allied countries.
The Guardian - The network previously focused on Russian dissidents and defectors but has recently targeted nations perceived to be allies of Ukraine.
CBS News - The indictment describes the network's recent focus on targeting nations perceived to be allies of Ukraine.
CBS News - The indictment describes the network's recent focus on targeting nations perceived to be allies of Ukraine.
CBS News - The alleged plots are described as attempts by a U.S. adversary to crack down on dissidents abroad, including in the U.S. and NATO-allied countries.
The Guardian - The network previously focused on Russian dissidents and defectors but has recently targeted nations perceived to be allies of Ukraine.
CBS News - The alleged plots are described as attempts by a U.S. adversary to crack down on dissidents abroad, including in the U.S. and NATO-allied countries.
The Guardian - The network previously focused on Russian dissidents and defectors but has recently targeted nations perceived to be allies of Ukraine.
HOW:
CBS News - The operatives communicated with potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The operatives communicated with potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The operatives communicated with potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer, with one Cuban recruiter stating, "Let me know as soon as possible because I have a chain and my boss has questions."
CBS News - The operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer.
CBS News - The operatives recruited individuals to conduct surveillance and offered monetary compensation for their involvement, including $1,000 to $1,500 for surveillance and $40,000 for murder.
CBS News - The operatives communicated with potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer, with one Cuban recruiter stating, "Let me know as soon as possible because I have a chain and my boss has questions."
CBS News - The operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer.
CBS News - The operatives recruited individuals to conduct surveillance and offered monetary compensation for their involvement, including $1,000 to $1,500 for surveillance and $40,000 for murder.
CBS News - The indictment describes communication between operatives and potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The operatives communicated with potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The operatives communicated with potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The operatives communicated with potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer, with one Cuban recruiter stating, "Let me know as soon as possible because I have a chain and my boss has questions."
CBS News - The operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer.
CBS News - The operatives recruited individuals to conduct surveillance and offered monetary compensation for their involvement, including $1,000 to $1,500 for surveillance and $40,000 for murder.
CBS News - The operatives communicated with potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
CBS News - The operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer, with one Cuban recruiter stating, "Let me know as soon as possible because I have a chain and my boss has questions."
CBS News - The operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer, with one Cuban recruiter stating, "Let me know as soon as possible because I have a chain and my boss has questions."
CBS News - The operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined the murder offer.
CBS News - The operatives recruited individuals to conduct surveillance and offered monetary compensation for their involvement, including $1,000 to $1,500 for surveillance and $40,000 for murder.
CBS News - The indictment describes communication between operatives and potential recruits, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and attempts to recruit additional individuals after initial rejections.
(UPDATED September 17, 2026 01:22 UTC)
An indictment has been issued against five operatives who allegedly conspired to finance terrorism and engage in murder-for-hire, with three of them facing specific charges related to the latter. The indictment reveals that these operatives attempted to recruit individuals in the U.S. to conduct surveillance and offered monetary compensation, including $1,000 to $1,500 for surveillance work and $40,000 for murder. It also highlights their focus on targeting dissidents abroad, particularly those perceived to be allies of Ukraine, as they communicated explicit instructions to potential recruits during their recruitment efforts.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 23:00 UTC)
An indictment has been issued naming five defendants, including two individuals from Russia, two Cubans, and one Venezuelan, who are accused of attempting to recruit a U.S. citizen in Lithuania for a violent plot. The indictment reveals that these operatives offered $40,000 to eliminate a target who was allegedly damaging their country's reputation and even provided detailed instructions for conducting surveillance. Additionally, the network has been focusing on targeting nations viewed as allies of Ukraine, highlighting a concerning trend in their activities.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 22:00 UTC)
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg announced that defendants allegedly operated as part of a global assassination network linked to the Kremlin, attempting to recruit U.S. citizens and foreigners for targeted killings. The indictment reveals that operatives offered a U.S. citizen $25,000 to kill a target in Lithuania and attempted to recruit him last year, offering $200 for surveillance and the same amount for murder. This network has recently focused on targeting nations seen as allies of Ukraine, with operatives providing explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and trying to recruit additional individuals even after initial rejections.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 20:02 UTC)
An indictment has been issued against five operatives, detailing their attempts to target a Russian dissident believed to be living in the Washington, D.C. area, with offers of up to $40,000 for murder and $25,000 for other violent actions. The charges include terrorism finance conspiracy and murder-for-hire conspiracy, with the operatives actively recruiting individuals in the U.S. to conduct surveillance and carry out their plans, offering monetary compensation ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 for surveillance work. These alleged plots are seen as efforts by a U.S. adversary to suppress dissidents both domestically and in NATO-allied countries.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 19:02 UTC)
An indictment has been filed against a network referred to as the "RIS Network," naming three operatives: a Cuban, a Venezuelan, and Yuri Khrameev. The charges allege that these operatives offered between one thousand and one thousand five hundred dollars to a Brooklyn resident for surveillance work, and they attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. after the initial recruit declined a murder offer, which included a $25,000 payment to kill a target accused of "spreading dirt about my country." The Brooklyn resident was tasked with surveilling locations linked to a Russian dissident believed to be in the Washington, D.C., area, with the operatives providing explicit instructions for the surveillance efforts.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 15:59 UTC)
An indictment has been filed against five defendants, detailing charges of terrorism finance conspiracy and murder-for-hire conspiracy, with three of them specifically facing the latter charge. The indictment reveals that operatives believed a Russian dissident was living in the Washington, D.C., area and offered $25,000 to kill a target they claimed was "spreading dirt about my country." Additionally, it describes the operatives' attempts to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S. for their plans, including explicit instructions for conducting surveillance and a sense of urgency expressed by one Cuban recruiter who said, "Let me know as soon as possible because I have a chain and my boss has questions."
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 13:06 UTC)
A recent indictment reveals a shocking offer of $40,000 to eliminate a target who was allegedly spreading negative information about a country, with connections to a network that has been active since at least 2024. The indictment also details a Cuban defendant involved in organizing travel and accommodations for associates linked to failed arson attacks in Europe, including attempts to ignite buses in the Czech Republic and a plot against a Lithuanian facility supplying equipment to Ukraine. After an initial recruit declined the murder offer, operatives sought to enlist multiple individuals in the U.S., with one Cuban recruiter urging prompt responses, stating, "Let me know as soon as possible because I have a chain and my boss has questions."
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 11:58 UTC)
An indictment has been issued against five defendants believed to be living in Russia, with charges including terrorism finance conspiracy and murder-for-hire conspiracy for three of them. The indictment details a chilling offer of $25,000 to kill a target who was allegedly "spreading dirt about my country," and it all began when a U.S. citizen was recruited in Lithuania, where he met with the younger Khrameev at the Estonia-Russia border. Following the initial recruit's refusal of the murder offer, the operatives attempted to recruit multiple individuals in the U.S.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 11:03 UTC)
The Justice Department has unsealed an indictment against five individuals, including a former Russian intelligence colonel and his son, accusing them of running a global assassination network targeting Kremlin critics. The indictment details a murder-for-hire plot that took place on U.S. soil, where a Brooklyn resident was offered $40,000 to eliminate a Russian dissident, with the network allegedly active since at least 2024 and involved in surveillance and terrorism against targets in the U.S. and Europe. The operatives reportedly recruited individuals for surveillance, offering compensation ranging from $1,000 to $1,500, while also attempting to communicate explicit instructions for their operations.