Putin thanks Trump for helping Russia foil a series of terrorist plots

The Russian president thanked his US counterpart for information provided by the CIA that helped the country prevent a series of terrorist plots.

Kazansky Cathedral in St Petersburg. Photo: AFP.

Information provided by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) helped Russian security forces track down and arrest a group of suspects who were planning to bomb the Kazansky Cathedral and other locations in St Petersburg, Russia's second largest city, the Kremlin said today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called US President Donald Trump to thank him, the Kremlin and the White House confirmed. Putin also asked Trump to thank the CIA agents. Putin added that Russian security services would continue to provide the US with information about potential terrorist threats against the US.

This is the second time Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin have spoken by phone since December 14. In the previous call, the US President thanked his Russian counterpart for "recognizing the strong economic performance of the United States," according to the White House.

Russian security forces raid an apartment, arresting suspects linked to IS. Screenshot.

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said seven suspects were arrested last week with a large amount of weapons and explosives. They were planning a suicide bombing on December 16, but Russian authorities stopped them in time.

Russian television recently aired a video showing FSB officers arresting a suspect who later confessed to making homemade bombs filled with metal fragments.

Another video shows security officers raiding an apartment believed to be the suspects' hideout.

Last week, the FSB said it had arrested several suspects linked to the Islamic State (IS) group who were planning New Year suicide bombings in Moscow.

In April, a suicide bombing on the St Petersburg metro killed 16 people and injured more than 50.

According to VNE