The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) unsealed an indictment on September 15 charging five individuals—including high-ranking members of Russian intelligence—with operating a global assassination network and plotting murder-for-hire schemes in the United States and Europe. The defendants, all believed to reside in Russia, remain at large.
Two key developments emerged from the charges:
- A murder-for-hire plot targeting a Russian dissident allegedly involved surveillance of the victim’s locations in the Washington, D.C., area and offers of payment for their elimination.
- Efforts to recruit U.S. residents for surveillance and potential killings, including an attempt to enlist a Brooklyn resident to photograph locations associated with the dissident.
The indictment names Yuri Khrameev, a former Russian intelligence colonel known as “Colonel Yuri,” his son Kirill Khrameev, and three foreign nationals: Oemis Romagoza Durruthy (a Cuban national), Yodel Delgado Suarez (a Cuban operative nicknamed “Viking”), and a Venezuelan operative. All five are accused of working for Russian intelligence services to target Kremlin critics and allies of Ukraine.
Immediate Response and Allegations
Federal prosecutors allege the group, referred to as the “RIS Network,” conspired since 2024 to conduct attacks against defectors and perceived supporters of Ukraine. The DOJ stated the operatives attempted to recruit individuals in America for surveillance operations, with one plot involving a Brooklyn resident offered $1,000 to $1,500 for photographing two locations tied to the dissident. An additional $40,000 was proposed for the target’s elimination.
According to court documents, the Brooklyn resident declined the murder-for-hire portion but was asked to identify others willing to carry out the act. One of the Cuban recruiters messaged: “Let me know as soon as possible because I have a chain and my boss has questions... I only need a response to know if someone can do the work.”
Official Statements and Investigative Details
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg stated the charges reflect the culmination of an investigation by multiple FBI field offices and partner agencies. Darren B. Cox, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, described the alleged plots as an attempt by Russia to conduct violent acts in U.S. cities, including the nation’s capital.
The indictment specifies that the operatives believed the dissident resided in the Washington, D.C., area. While the dissident’s identity was not disclosed, officials confirmed the plot occurred in July and August 2024. The DOJ did not provide further details on whether the surveillance was completed or if additional targets were identified.
Background and Broader Context
The charges follow a pattern of alleged Russian intelligence activities targeting dissidents abroad. The DOJ described the network as part of a broader effort to suppress opposition to the Kremlin, including attacks on civilian and military infrastructure in Europe perceived as aligned with Ukraine. The case marks the latest in a series of enforcement actions against foreign adversaries operating on U.S. soil.
All five defendants are charged under U.S. law, and the DOJ has requested their extradition or arrest. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities urging the public to report any suspicious activity related to the named individuals.