Allegations of an overseas targeting campaign have put fresh strain on ties between Washington and Moscow after U.S. authorities said the operation sought to intimidate and even kill supporters of Ukraine.
The FBI said five men "conspired to intimidate, threaten, or murder people on US soil and around the world," linking the plot to activities aimed at Ukrainian allies overseas. U.S. officials characterized the incident as part of a wider pattern of hostile actions by actors connected to Russia.
The announcement did not detail the identities of the alleged conspirators or specify the victims, but it underscored concerns among Western governments about attempts to reach targets far beyond the battlefield in Ukraine. The alleged plot, according to the FBI, involved efforts both inside the United States and internationally.
The allegations come amid elevated tensions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine and follow other incidents that have raised alarm in Western capitals. U.S. officials said the matter remains under investigation, and legal and diplomatic responses could follow as authorities pursue the case.
The FBI statement is likely to prompt calls for increased vigilance by governments and communities considered at risk, as investigators work to determine the full scope and links of the alleged conspiracy. Washington has not publicly said what specific steps it will take in response, but the case adds to a string of accusations that have complicated relations with Moscow.