Five individuals allegedly working with Russian intelligence services have been charged with conspiring to finance terrorism and, in some cases, commit murder for hire in the United States and abroad, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on Tuesday.
The defendants are accused of operating as part of a Russian intelligence network that sought to recruit people in the United States to conduct surveillance and targeted killings. Prosecutors also allege the network organized and supported attacks against civilian and military infrastructure in European countries viewed as aligned with Ukraine.
All five defendants remain at large.
Five Defendants Named in Indictment
According to the indictment, three of the defendants are described as high-ranking members of the Russian Intelligence Services network.
Yuri Khrameev, 63, a former Russian intelligence colonel also known as “Colonel Yuri,” is accused of helping recruit people to carry out killings of individuals considered Russian dissidents.
His son, Kirill Khrameev, 27, is identified as an officer in Russia’s Federal Security Service. Prosecutors allege he helped recruit a U.S. citizen to conduct surveillance on a person in Lithuania before Yuri Khrameev allegedly offered that individual $25,000 to carry out a killing.
Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, 35, a Cuban national living in Russia, is accused of coordinating travel and logistics for attacks associated with the network.
The other two defendants are Yaidel Delgado Suarez, 35, also known as “Viking,” and Angel Eduardo Castro, 22.
Suarez is accused of recruiting or attempting to recruit multiple people in the United States. Castro allegedly worked with Suarez to recruit U.S.-based individuals to surveil and attempt to kill a prominent Russian dissident.
Alleged Plot Targeted Russian Dissident in U.S.
Prosecutors allege the network most recently attempted to recruit a person living in the United States to surveil and kill a prominent Russian dissident.
According to the indictment, Suarez provided the recruited individual with two locations associated with the intended target and instructions for conducting surveillance. The person allegedly received between $1,000 and $1,500 for the surveillance and returned photographs and videos of the locations.
Suarez and Castro allegedly later offered the person $40,000 to “eliminate” or “disappear” the target.
When the individual said they did not want to carry out the killing personally, prosecutors allege Suarez asked whether the person knew someone else who could do it. Suarez also allegedly said associates in Mexico could carry out the killing but had been delayed.
The indictment says Suarez attempted to recruit other people in the United States to conduct surveillance and carry out killings.
Network Allegedly Planned Attacks Abroad
The indictment also describes alleged operations outside the United States.
Prosecutors say that in 2024, Durruthy coordinated an attack in Prague, Czechia, including helping with travel and providing potential attack locations.
In September 2024, he allegedly coordinated another attack in Lithuania by arranging travel for a participant and maintaining communications with someone involved in the operation.
The indictment also alleges that Durruthy communicated with Yuri Khrameev in November 2025 and obtained media showing one of the residences later surveilled in the United States.
Charges Carry Up To 20 Years
All five defendants are charged with conspiracy to finance terrorism, a count carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Yuri Khrameev, Suarez and Castro also face a conspiracy to commit murder for hire charge, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
The FBI’s New York Field Office Counterintelligence Division investigated the case with assistance from the Washington Field Office and Homeland Security Investigations.
Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York are handling the case with assistance from attorneys in the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
The defendants have not been arrested and remain at large.
An indictment contains allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
Provided by Dallas Express
