Putin attack foiled: Russia’s FSB kills ISIS terrorist plotting election day strike
RUSSIAN security services say they have thwarted an Islamic State (ISIS) plot to carry out an attack during next month’s presidential election.
Russia news: FSB officers have shot dead a susepcted ISIS militant who was 'planning an attack'
A statement issued by the Russian FSB said officers had shot dead a suspected ISIS militant who “provided armed resistance” as they tried to arrest him in the city of Nizhny Novgorod.
The agency said it found a powerful improvised explosive device, bomb-making equipment, guns and ammunition after searching the location where the man was killed.
The suspect was reportedly "prepared to carry out" an attack on March 18, when Russians head to the polls to vote in the presidential election.
The FSB added the alleged jihadist was from an unnamed former Soviet republic but did not provide any further details.
FSB officers have shot dead a man they say was an ISIS militant plotting an attack
Vladimir Putin is excepted to comfortably win his fourth term in next month’s ballot.
If he chooses to serve for the whole six years, he could remain in power until 2024, making him the longest-sitting Russian leader since Joseph Stalin.
Following the bombing of a supermarket in St Petersburg in December, Mr Putin told police to "take no prisoners" and "liquidate the bandits on the spot” if suspected militants posed a threat to officers.
At least 10 people were injured in the blast after a homemade nail bomb was detonated in a back room of the store.
The FSB said this pistol was found at the scene where the alleged ISIS militant was killed
Dozens of people were evacuated from the area which was packed with shoppers ahead of Christmas and New Year.
The FSB has a history of announcing it has prevented terrorist attacks ahead of national holidays and major events.
In December, the agency said it had arrested several suspects in Moscow and St Petersburg and foiled separate plots for attacks in the cities which were planned for the New Year holidays and the presidential election campaign.
After the suspects in the St Petersburg plot were rounded up, both President Donald Trump and the Kremlin said US intelligence services had helped thwart the attack by providing information to the FSB.