USA: Russia network is said to have planned the murder of Kremlin opponents in Washington

$40,000 for a murder

Russian network was probably hunting Kremlin opponents in Washington

Five men are said to have prepared attacks on opponents of the regime for Russian secret services and organized sabotage in Europe. A US indictment now shows how far the alleged network apparently reached.

First, the man was supposed to be spied on, then a murder order is said to have followed: On June 29 of this year, two suspected members of a Russian network are said to have offered a man $40,000 – the equivalent of around 35,000 euros – to murder a prominent Russian government critic. This is according to an indictment published on Tuesday by the US Attorney’s Office new York out.

According to investigators, the alleged victim remained in the room Washington on. First, the recruited man was given two addresses to observe. He was promised between $1,000 and $1,500 for photos and videos.

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According to the prosecution, when he delivered the material, the order changed. He was supposed to receive $40,000 to “eliminate” or “disappear” the Kremlin opponent, according to news published by the US justice system. The man refused to carry out the crime himself. His clients then asked him if he knew anyone who could carry out the murder. The person addressed replied that he would see if he could find “the right people.”

The US justice system accuses a total of five men of having worked for a network of Russian secret services. It is said to have been preparing attacks worldwide since at least 2024 and recruiting helpers for targeted killings and sabotage. Initially, the focus was primarily on Russian dissidents and defectors, and later also on states that… Ukraine support.

The Russians Yuri Khrameev and his son Kirill as well as two Cubans and a Venezuelan are accused. The elder Khrameyev is described by US investigators as a former colonel in Russian secret services. His son is said to work for the Russian domestic secret service FSB.

All five face charges of conspiracy to finance terrorism responsible. Three of them are also accused of planning a contract killing. None of the men have been arrested yet. The presumption of innocence applies to everyone.

The case in Washington was apparently not the first. As early as 2025, the network is said to have tried to bring in another Russian government critic Lithuania to have killed.

According to investigators, a US citizen initially received $200 to check an address and take photos. Yuri Khrameev is said to have then offered him around $25,000 to murder the man. He justified the order by saying that the goal was “dirt”. Russia spread and distort history.