The Justice Department unsealed an indictment in the Southern District of New York charging multiple Russian nationals accused of acting on behalf of Russian intelligence to finance terrorism and plot murder-for-hire operations. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the charges include an alleged plot to kill a Russian dissident believed to be in Washington, D.C., and recruitment efforts inside the U.S. to carry out attacks in Europe. Prosecutors describe the group as the 'RIS Network,' active since 2024, and say encrypted messaging evidence details surveillance, instructions and payment arrangements. The indictment names three alleged high-ranking members and two recruiters.
DOJ Unseals Indictment Accusing Alleged Russian Intelligence Network Of Terror Financing And Murder-For-Hire Plots
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters - PHOTO: Attorney General Todd Blanche delivers remarks during a press briefing in the Rose Garden of the White House, September 15, 2026 in Washington.
Attorney General Todd Blanche announced on September 15, 2026, that an indictment has been unsealed in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York charging multiple Russian nationals accused of working for that country’s intelligence services and allegedly financing terrorism and conspiring in murder-for-hire plots worldwide.
Blanche made the announcement at a White House Rose Garden press briefing. Photo credit: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters.
Indictment Details
According to prosecutors, the group described in the indictment as the 'RIS Network' has operated since 2024 to identify and surveil Russian dissidents living in the United States and Europe and to coordinate terrorist attacks against military and civilian infrastructure in European countries aligned with Ukraine.
The charges include an alleged effort to assassinate a Russian dissident believed to be located in the Washington, D.C., area. Prosecutors say members exchanged messages on encrypted apps that discussed surveillance methods, step-by-step instructions for recruits, and arrangements for payments tied to murder-for-hire plans.
Named Defendants
The indictment names three alleged "high-ranking" members and two individuals accused of acting as recruiters. The high-ranking defendants are identified as:
- Yuri Khrameev, aka "Colonel Yuri," described as a former colonel in the Russian intelligence services;
- Kirill Khrameev, identified as an officer in Russia's Federal Security Service and the son of Yuri Khrameev;
- Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, described as a Cuban national living in Russia who allegedly coordinated attacks for the group.
Two other defendants named in the indictment—Yaidel Delgado Suarez (known as "Viking") and Angel Eduardo Castro—are accused in part of recruiting operatives for the network.
Prosecutors allege the RIS Network recruited a Venezuelan citizen living in the United States in the summer of 2026 to surveil and attempt to murder the dissident they believed was in Washington, D.C. The charges assert the group also sought to recruit individuals inside the U.S. to carry out attacks in Europe.
Scope And Allegations
Beyond the alleged assassination plot, the indictment ties the network to efforts to finance terrorism and coordinate foreign-directed surveillance of dissidents. Authorities say encrypted messaging evidence is central to the case, documenting operational discussions, surveillance instructions, and payment arrangements.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as prosecutors release more details and legal proceedings move forward.
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