# FBI cyber and intelligence disruption efforts

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fbi-cyber-and-intelligence-disruption-efforts
> Updated: 2026-09-15T22:00:00.000Z. Sources: 38. Developments: 2.

The FBI has introduced a new four-part strategy designed to transition from ad-hoc responses to a steady-state approach for disrupting malicious hacking and cyber threats. This strategy emphasizes increased collaboration with international allies and the private sector, with the bureau promising that shared information will be used to assist victims rather than being passed to regulators.

Following this strategic shift, the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an indictment accusing Russian intelligence services of operating a global assassination network, referred to as the ‘RIS Network’. Active since at least 2024, the network has targeted Russian dissidents, defectors, and nations perceived as allies of Ukraine.

The indictment charges five individuals believed to be residing in Russia, including former Russian intelligence colonel Yuri Khrameev, his son Kirill, and three others from Cuba and Venezuela. All five defendants remain at large.

Federal authorities allege the group attempted to recruit people in the United States to surveil and murder a prominent Russian dissident in the Washington, D.C. area. In one instance, operatives allegedly offered a Brooklyn resident between $1,000 and $1,500 for surveillance work and up to $40,000 to ‘eliminate’ or ‘make disappear’ a target. Beyond targeted killings, the network is accused of soliciting individuals to carry out acts of terrorism against civilian and military infrastructure in European countries supporting Ukraine. The FBI reported that it successfully disrupted these specific plots through coordinated efforts across multiple field offices and partner agencies.

## Claims

- The DOJ accuses Russian intelligence of running a global assassination network targeting Kremlin critics. (corroborated by 25 sources)
- Five individuals believed to be living in Russia have been charged in connection with the plot. (corroborated by 25 sources)
- The plot included a plan to kill a Russian dissident in the Washington, D. C. area. (corroborated by 23 sources)
- The network solicited acts of terrorism against civilian and military infrastructure in European countries supporting Ukraine. (corroborated by 22 sources)
- The network has been active in conducting attacks and murders globally since at least 2024. (corroborated by 22 sources)
- The network attempted to recruit individuals in the U.S. to surveil a dissident in Lithuania. (corroborated by 21 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-15: U.S. charges five in alleged Russian intelligence assassination plots

The U.S. DOJ has charged five individuals for allegedly operating a Russian intelligence-linked network to conduct global assassinations and surveillance, including a plot against a dissident in Washington, D.C

33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fbi-disrupts-russian-plot-to-kill-targets-in-us-and-europe

### 2026-09-08: FBI implements new strategy to disrupt cyberattacks through collaboration

The FBI is implementing a new strategy to disrupt cyberattacks through increased collaboration with the private sector, international allies, and enhanced investigative capabilities.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fbi-implements-new-strategy-to-disrupt-cyberattacks-through-collaboration

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Cite as: FBI cyber and intelligence disruption efforts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fbi-cyber-and-intelligence-disruption-efforts