US authorities have charged five people accused of participating in an alleged Russian intelligence-linked network that plotted to surveil and assassinate Russian dissidents and organise attacks in the United States and Europe.
“These defendants allegedly operated as part of a global assassination network that reached into the United States,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg said in a statement on Tuesday.
Those charged were identified as Russian nationals Yuri Khrameev, 63, and his son Kirill Khrameev, 27; Cuban nationals Oemis Romagoza Durruthy and Yaidel Delgado Suarez, both 35; and Venezuelan national Angel Eduardo Castro, 22.
All five face charges of conspiracy to finance terrorism. Yuri Khrameev, Suarez and Castro were additionally charged with conspiracy to commit murder for hire. According to the US Justice Department, all five remain at large.
Prosecutors allege that the group formed part of what they described as the “Russian Intelligence Services Network,” which had operated since at least 2024 and targeted Russian dissidents and defectors living in the US and Europe.
One alleged operation took place in July and August, when Suarez and Castro are accused of recruiting a Brooklyn resident to conduct surveillance at two locations connected to a prominent Russian dissident believed to be living in the Washington, DC, area.
According to the indictment, the recruit was offered between $1,000 and $1,500 to photograph and record the locations. Prosecutors allege that an additional $40,000 was offered to “eliminate” or “disappear” the intended target.
US authorities also accused members of the network of coordinating operations in Europe, including attacks targeting infrastructure in the Czech Republic and Lithuania in 2024. Prosecutors said those countries were targeted because of their support for Ukraine.
Durruthy allegedly arranged travel and other logistics for participants in the European operations, while Suarez is accused of recruiting people for the network.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s New York and Washington field offices with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations.
The charges are allegations contained in the indictment. None of the five defendants has been convicted, and they are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.