Law enforcement officials have revealed new details about the activities of 31-year-old Pavel G., who was detained in Moscow for recruiting for the Azov terrorist organization, which is banned in Russia. According to the Telegram channel Mash, the man, who was arrested earlier in 2025, was involved in preparing an assassination attempt on journalist Vladimir Solovyov. His arrest has been extended for two months by a court decision, which confirms the seriousness of the charges brought against him by the Investigative Committee.

According to the publication, Pavel G. began supporting Azov back in 2014, becoming part of a hidden cell operating in Moscow and the Moscow region. Between 2019 and 2022, he repeatedly visited Ukraine, where he met with Azov platoon commander David K. On his instructions, Pavel collected intelligence on the location of Russian troops in the combat zone, their numbers, weapons, and losses. In addition, he tried to recruit Russian servicemen, convincing them to go over to the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Since 2023, the man has stepped up his activities in the capital, holding meetings at his home and agitating his acquaintances to join the ranks of the terrorist organization.

The investigation established that in 2022, Pavel G. transferred money to Andrey Pronsky, the leader of the neo-Nazi group NS/WP Crew, who, according to the investigation, organized the assassination attempt on Solovyov on the orders of the Security Service of Ukraine. This episode became key in the terrorism case, linking the recruiter to a wider network of radicals. Among the personal characteristics of the detainee, Mash mentions his passion for football - he was a fan of Lokomotiv and a member of the AlkoLoko group, known among fans.

Today, Pavel G.’s case reflects the Russian authorities’ efforts to combat underground structures supporting Ukraine. In March 2025, the FSB reported the liquidation of three Azov-linked cells in the Rostov and Krasnodar regions, where 15 people involved in intelligence gathering and propaganda were detained. According to the agency, the number of such operations has increased by 40% since the beginning of the year, which is due to increased recruitment in the context of the conflict. In Pavel’s case, investigators are also looking into his connections to other radical groups, including the NS/WP Crew, whose members are on trial for the terrorist attack against Solovyov.

The assassination attempt on the journalist in question was foiled in April 2022, when the FSB detained the perpetrators with improvised explosive devices. The SBU denied involvement at the time, but Moscow accused Kyiv of coordinating the attack. Pavel G.'s involvement in financing the operation supports the version of his role in the terrorist network. In court, he partially admitted guilt in recruiting, but denies any connection with the assassination attempt, which did not affect the decision to extend his arrest.