US Warns Kasparov of Danger Amid New Indictment of Kremlin Plot

Thu Oct 01 2026 16:29:04 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov says U.S. security services warned him of danger amid new indictment accusing Kremlin operatives of plotting attacks on dissidents.

In a rare admission, Garry Kasparov revealed that U.S. and Lithuanian security agencies had warned him about a potential threat to his life. The claim comes after the U.S. Justice Department unsealed an indictment that accuses five Kremlin-linked operatives of orchestrating a global murder network targeting Russian dissidents. Kasparov—who fled Russia in 2013 and has since become a prominent opposition voice—stated he was advised to take precautions even though he was not formally identified as a target. The indictment names individuals believed to be working under the "RIS Network" and vows to prosecute those responsible. The warning highlights the growing reach of Russian intelligence abroad, raising concerns for other exiled critics.

US Warns Kasparov of Danger Amid New Indictment of Kremlin Plot

In a rare admission, former world chess champion Garry Kasparov said U.S. and Lithuanian security agencies had warned him that his life was under threat. He learned of the danger during the summer of 2023, after the Russian intelligence services allegedly plotted attacks against dissidents worldwide, according to the indictment.

Kasparov, who fled Russia in 2013 and has become a vocal critic of Vladimir Putin, posted on his Substack that he and fellow exile Ivan Tyutrin had received precautions, though they were not explicitly named as targets. This coincides with the Department of Justice’s unsealed charges against five Kremlin-linked operatives, the so‑called RIS Network, who are accused of recruiting U.S. citizens and foreigners to carry out killings at Moscow’s behest.

The indictment names Yuri Khrameev, Kirill Khrameev, Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, Yaidel Delgado Suarez and Angel Eduardo Castro as orchestrators of a global murder network. All five remain at large and the DOJ has vowed to prosecute those involved. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment, citing the need for credible evidence.

Kasparov’s warning also referenced Ilya Ponomarev, a former Russian MP who voted against the annexation of Crimea and now lives in exile. Ponomarev did not confirm receipt of the warning but said the indictment marks a "new level of escalation" by Russia. Together, the cases underscore the expanding reach of Russian intelligence abroad and the heightened risk to dissenting voices in the West.

The incident comes as international attention focuses on efforts to protect exiled critics and to hold accountable those who facilitate extraterritorial attacks. The U.S. and its allies have urged vigilance, citing the need to prevent further cases of targeted violence against political dissidents worldwide.