US Authorities Charge Five Over Alleged Russian-Linked Assassination Network
Washington, September 16, 2026: US federal prosecutors have charged five individuals accused of working with Russian intelligence services in an alleged international network involved in surveillance, planned killings and attacks on civilian and military infrastructure. The charges, unsealed on September 15, include an alleged plot to recruit people in the United States to target a prominent Russian dissident.
The defendants include two Russian nationals, two Cuban nationals and one Venezuelan national. Prosecutors allege the network operated since at least 2024 and pursued targets in the United States and countries viewed as supportive of Ukraine.
The case has drawn attention to allegations of foreign-directed violence and efforts to target Russian dissidents abroad. However, the charges remain allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Five Defendants Named in Federal Indictment
The individuals charged in the case are:
- Yuri Khrameev, 63: A Russian national and former Russian intelligence colonel, identified by prosecutors as a senior member of the alleged network.
- Kirill Khrameev, 27: Yuri Khrameev’s son and an alleged officer in Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB.
- Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, 35: A Cuban national living in Russia who prosecutors say helped coordinate activities for the alleged network.
- Yaidel Delgado Suarez, 35: A Cuban national also known as “Viking,” accused of recruiting individuals in the United States.
- Angel Eduardo Castro, 22: A Venezuelan national accused of helping Suarez recruit people for surveillance and an alleged murder plot.
According to the indictment, all five face a charge of conspiracy to finance terrorism. Yuri Khrameev, Suarez and Castro also face a separate charge alleging conspiracy to commit murder for hire.
The terrorism-financing charge carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while the murder-for-hire conspiracy charge carries a potential maximum of 10 years. Any sentence would be determined by a judge if the defendants are convicted.
Alleged Plot to Kill Russian Dissident in Washington
One of the most recent allegations concerns a Russian dissident believed by the network to be living in the United States.
Prosecutors say Suarez recruited a US-based individual during the summer of 2026 to conduct surveillance on the target. The individual allegedly received locations connected to the dissident, along with instructions on gathering information and a promised payment of between $1,000 and $1,500.
The recruited individual reportedly carried out surveillance and provided photographs and videos of locations associated with the target.
Suarez and Castro allegedly later offered the person $40,000 to eliminate the dissident. When the individual refused to carry out the killing personally, prosecutors say the recruiters asked whether someone else could do the job.
The indictment further alleges that Suarez referred to contacts in Mexico who could potentially carry out the killing, although those plans were reportedly delayed.
Authorities say additional recruitment attempts were made in connection with the alleged targeting of dissidents in the United States.
Earlier Allegations Involving Lithuania and European Attacks
The indictment also describes an earlier alleged recruitment effort involving a person in Lithuania.
Prosecutors say Kirill Khrameev recruited a US citizen in 2025 to travel to an address associated with a target and take photographs. After the surveillance assignment, the individual was allegedly offered approximately $25,000 to carry out a killing.
The target was described by the alleged recruiters as someone who was spreading false information about Russia. The recruited individual reportedly declined the murder assignment.
According to prosecutors, the alleged network subsequently discussed other possible acts, including attacks on property and electrical infrastructure in countries supporting Ukraine.
The indictment also alleges that Durruthy helped coordinate travel and logistics connected to attacks in Prague, Czechia, and Lithuania in 2024.
FBI Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The case was investigated by the FBI’s New York Field Office, with assistance from the Washington Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations and the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
US officials say the investigation disrupted alleged efforts to conduct violence against people in the United States and abroad. Authorities described the case as part of efforts to counter foreign intelligence operations and transnational repression.
The five defendants remain at large, according to the charges. The indictment does not establish guilt, and the allegations will need to be tested through the US legal process.
