ISTANBUL

Russia on Monday claimed that the US military actively recruited militants from "jihadist" groups with links to Daesh/ISIS and al-Qaeda to “carry out terrorist attacks in Russia and the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries.”

“Particular attention is paid to attracting people from the Russian North Caucasus and Central Asia for cooperation,” the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said in a statement.

It claimed that 60 “terrorists” were selected by the US military in January, with those selected having experience of “participating in hostilities in the Middle East.”

“They are currently undergoing accelerated training at the American base at Al-Tanf in Syria. There they are taught making and using improvised explosive devices, as well as methods of conducting sabotage and subversive activities. Particular attention is paid to the planning of attacks on well-protected objects, including foreign diplomatic missions,” the statement said.

It added that small groups of such “militants” were planned to be transferred to Russia and CIS countries in the near future, after which they would be tasked with “preparing and carrying out terrorist attacks against diplomats, civil servants, law enforcement officers and military personnel.”

“We see the final loss of any moral principles in the US security forces. Obsessed with the crazy idea of ‘bleeding’ Russia, Washington strategists consider it acceptable to directly use terrorists for their dirty purposes. Such actions put Washington on par with the largest international terrorist groups,” it added.

Diplomatic tensions between Russia and the US have increased drastically as Washington backs Ukraine in Moscow's "special military operation" against Kyiv, which approaches its one-year anniversary.