German arrested in Russia accused of sabotage plot
According to the FSB, 17 ounces of liquid explosive material were found in the car of the detained German citizen. Russian authorities claim he was preparing an attack on a fuel and energy complex (FEC) and was involved in sabotage in the Kaliningrad Oblast.
1:01 PM EST, November 20, 2024
The FSB detained German citizen Nikolai Gayduk on suspicion of planning sabotage on an energy complex in Russia, as reported by "Kommersant." The authorities allege he was involved in the March explosion of a low-pressure gas distribution station in Kaliningrad.
He was detained after entering the territory of the Kaliningrad Oblast from Poland. In an FSB statement, his Ford Focus, bearing Hamburg license plates, was reported to contain nearly 17 ounces of liquid explosive material, a Makarov pistol, a SIM card, a laptop, and a smartphone.
The Russians claim Gayduk is originally from Ukraine but has been living in Germany for 32 years. The FSB reported that he was assigned to conduct sabotage from Ukrainian citizen Aleksandr Zhorov, who also resides in Hamburg.
Russian television channel REN released a recording of Gayduk's interrogation. The footage was intended to confirm that in November 2023, he was approached by a colleague, a retired lieutenant colonel of the Odesa police, Aleksandr Zhorov, who "works for one of the Ukrainian special services," according to "Kommersant."
After his detention, Gayduk was placed in custody.
