Russia may stage terrorist attacks in occupied territories under the Ukrainian flag

Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine warned of a high likelihood of high-profile provocations and terrorist attacks that Russian intelligence services may organize in temporarily occupied territories. According to the intelligence assessment, the crimes could be presented as actions by Ukraine on the days of the illegal elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation and the forced voting in the occupied territories.

The FISU believes that in this way the Kremlin seeks to derail the US-mediated peace process, discredit Ukraine and convince Western partners of the alleged hopelessness of the diplomatic path.

The intelligence notes that bloody provocations during elections or other “sacred” events for the Russian leadership are a practice that Moscow has used for decades.

“Traditionally the Kremlin uses such measures for psychological pressure, legitimizing seized territories and justifying further escalation”, — the FISU said in a statement.

As examples of such tactics, the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine recalled the apartment building bombings in Russia in 1999, the hostage-taking at the Dubrovka theater center known as “Nord-Ost” in 2002, the tragedy in Beslan in 2004, as well as provocations in the occupied territories of Ukraine in 2014–2024.

According to the intelligence assessment, the following scenarios may be considered in 2026:

• explosions at polling stations or at ballot collection points during off-hours;
• sabotage to transport and infrastructure facilities, responsibility for which will be attempted to be blamed on “Ukrainian” drones;
• attempted assassinations of collaborators — leaders of occupation election commissions or candidates.

FISU urged residents of the temporarily occupied territories to avoid places of mass gatherings, polling stations, administrative buildings and objects of the Russian occupiers’ military infrastructure as much as possible during the period 17–21 September.

Source: data.

Previously we wrote:

• After the failed visit of Trump’s negotiators, Russia attacked Ukraine again
• A Mykolaiv resident prepared to kill an activist on orders of the FSB — the SBU detained him
• Mykolaiv canceled mass celebrations of City Day due to the threat of Russian attacks
• The US warned Poland about a possible provocation from Russia
• The enemy acts under the guise of law enforcement: Ukrainians are being pushed toward sabotage