WSJ: Russian general wanted by Czech police heads special unit set up by Kremlin to carry out attacks against Western targets

Andrei Averjanov, a Russian general who is wanted by the Czech police in connection with the 2014 explosions in the Vrbětice ammunition depot, heads a special unit created by the Kremlin in 2023 to carry out attacks against Western countries, the Wall Street Journal reported with reference to Western intelligence services.

The unit was reportedly created to carry out assassinations, sabotage or place explosive devices in countries, which are regarded as strong allies of Ukraine. The unit’s operations are overseen by two men, Colonel General Andrei Averyanov and his deputy, Lieutenant General Ivan Kasyanenko, the Wall Street Journal says. Averjanov is a veteran of the Chechen wars and has been wanted by the Czech police since last May for his role in the Vrbětice depot explosions that killed two people.