The United States Department of Justice has unsealed an indictment that accuses five men of collaborating with Russian intelligence to orchestrate attacks and killings across borders. According to the filing, the alleged network operated on a global scale, targeting critics of Moscow both in America and in allied European nations. Prosecutors stressed that the suspects remain at large, underscoring the ongoing challenge of dismantling transnational assassination plots.
Who the defendants are
The indictment names Russian national Yuri Khrameev 63, and his son Kirill Khrameev 27, as senior figures. Also charged are Cuban nationals Oemis Romagoza Durruthy and Yaidel Delgado Suarez both 35, along with 22-year-old Venezuelan Angel Eduardo Castro. Each defendant is described as having a distinct role within a structure that allegedly served the interests of Russian intelligence services, with Yuri purportedly a former colonel and Kirill an officer in the Federal Security Service.
Alleged crimes and recruitment tactics
All five men face a charge of conspiracy to finance terrorism. In addition, Khrameev, Suarez and Castro are accused of conspiracy to commit murder for hire. The Justice Department alleges that the group recruited individuals in the United States to conduct surveillance on Russian dissidents, including a target believed to reside in the Washington, D.C., area. One recruit was reportedly offered $40,000 to “make a U.S.-based target disappear,” while another was promised $25,000 the previous year to eliminate a person in Lithuania.
Further evidence points to a broader agenda. Prosecutors say the network sought to sabotage civilian and military infrastructure in countries perceived as supporting Ukraine. In a separate scheme, a U.S. citizen was approached with $200 to photograph a Lithuanian dissident’s address in 2025, followed by an offer of roughly $25,000 to kill the same individual. When the target refused, investigators claim Yuri Khrameev suggested a “simpler job,” such as setting fire to a warehouse or attacking an electricity substation.
Official reactions and wider implications
Attorney General Todd Blanche briefed reporters, emphasizing that the alleged plots constitute a “gross violation of our sovereignty and a threat to national security.” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg described the suspects as part of a “global assassination network” reaching into the United States. James C. Barnacle Jr. head of the New York FBI office, lauded his agency’s “relentless work and rock-solid partnership” that disrupted the operation.
The Russian Embassy in Washington has not provided an immediate comment. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated a long-standing denial, stating that Moscow will not respond without “reasonable evidence and tangible arguments.” This indictment adds to a series of Western accusations that Russian actors have orchestrated covert killings abroad, a claim Russia consistently refutes despite documented investigations.
Analysts note that the case illustrates the challenges of confronting state-sponsored covert violence in an era of digital communication and transnational recruitment. The use of substantial cash incentives, coupled with instructions to film surveillance footage while disabling phones, suggests a sophisticated operational playbook. If the alleged conspirators evade capture, the indictment may serve as a template for future legal actions against similar networks.
Law-enforcement officials stress that the investigation remains active, with ongoing efforts to locate the suspects and dismantle any remaining cells. The Justice Department indicated that additional charges could be forthcoming should evidence emerge linking other actors to the scheme. Until the perpetrators are apprehended, the United States vows to protect dissidents and uphold the rule of law against foreign-directed violence.
