Russia's Investigative Committee has launched a terrorism investigation (Article 205, Part 2, Section "a" of the Criminal Code) targeting two 16-year-old minors from Transbaikal Territory. The youths stand accused of deliberately igniting a forest fire near Atamanovka village, as confirmed by the agency's press office.
Authorities have combined this terrorism charge with an earlier case against the same individuals concerning the deliberate destruction of forested areas through arson, resulting in significant damage (Article 261, Part 4 of the Criminal Code). Both suspects currently remain in detention.
Investigators allege that in June 2025, one teenager initiated contact with "an unidentified individual, believed to be operating from Ukrainian territory." This contact allegedly persuaded the youth to start the forest fire in exchange for 80,000 rubles, with the suspect subsequently recruiting his friend to participate in the arson plot, according to official statements.