A fire broke out at a building used by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, leaving at least one person dead and two injured. According to Russian media, a short circuit caused the fire, which ignited fuel tanks and caused a large blaze visible throughout the city. The street where the building is located has been cordoned off. The building belonged to the FSB’s regional border patrol section and is responsible for counterintelligence, border security, and counterterrorism.
This incident occurred amidst a spate of arson attacks on government buildings in Russia since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Enlistment and conscription offices have also been targeted. It is unclear who is responsible for the attacks, and Ukraine denied any involvement in the fire at the FSB building.
The FSB is Russia’s internal security service and has significant responsibilities for maintaining the country’s security. The incident is likely to draw significant attention as it highlights a potential vulnerability in Russia’s security infrastructure. The incident occurred despite the presence of a significant number of security personnel in the area.
It is unclear what impact the fire and the loss of life will have on the FSB’s operations in the region. The FSB will likely conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire and how it could have been prevented.