Russian President Vladimir Putin outside the SVR headquarters in December 2020 (AFP)

In a statement on Monday, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) voiced that the US defense is recruiting fighters to plot and execute terrorist attacks on Russian soil and that of CIS countries (such as Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Uzbekistan).

"According to credible data received by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia, the US military is actively recruiting militants from jihadist groups affiliated with the Daesh* and Al-Qaeda* to carry out terrorist attacks in Russia and the CIS countries. Particular attention is paid to attracting people from the Russian North Caucasus and Central Asia to cooperation," the SVR statement read.

It further announced that last month, 60 militants were brought on board by the US after they received training at the Al-Tanf military base in Syria, with the intent to be sent to CIS countries - intending to target top diplomats and security officials.

Overwhelmed with the "crazy idea of exsanguinating Russia," the US views it as acceptable to employ terrorists only to serve their own needs and purposes, the SVR said, adding that a "definitive loss" in the moral principles is evident in US security services.

"Washington's strategists consider it acceptable to use terrorists directly for their dirty purposes. Such actions put Washington on a par with major international terrorist groups," the statement concluded.

Militants 'loyal' to US terrorism

This is not the first time the SVR uncovers the US' devious plans in doing dirty work to get the job done.

According to the SVR, ISIS members are being recruited by the US to act as mercenaries in Ukraine to "target sabotage against the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine."

It added that "in April [2022], with the participation of US intelligence services, about 60 IS fighters aged 20 to 25 got released from prisons controlled by Syrian Kurds are undergoing combat training for the purpose of subsequent transfer to Ukrainian territory."

The SVR also said the US Al-Tanf base in Syria transformed into a terrorist "hub," where US loyal militants got trained for transfer to Ukraine.

Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev confirmed last month that this would be a reason why the US withdrew from Afghanistan to focus on fighting Russia by using Ukraine as an alibi.