Four Russian teenagers, aged 14 to 17, have been detained on suspicion of planning acts of sabotage and arson against critical transport and energy infrastructure in Russia’s Lipetsk Region, according to the Federal Security Service (FSB).

The FSB revealed that the suspects were recruited through online messaging platforms. Investigators stated they were contacted in October via a Telegram group advertising quick earnings and were offered money in exchange for carrying out attacks.

According to the agency, the teenagers collected an improvised explosive device from a concealed location and traveled to a section of the Druzhba oil pipeline. Video footage released by the FSB shows officers detaining the suspects, including removing them from a passenger car.

In the video, the teenagers confessed they carried out arson attacks on instructions from individuals who claimed to be officers of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). The targets included railway signaling equipment, electrical substations, and transformer boxes.

The FSB reported searches were conducted at the suspects’ homes, with the boys remanded in custody. A criminal case has been opened against them for preparing sabotage, which carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Moscow has repeatedly accused Kyiv of staging numerous attacks and sabotage operations targeting Russian infrastructure during the ongoing conflict.