Russia tried to kill defector in Florida

Mr Fuentes and his wife were told to leave, but security cameras captured the incident. Two days later, he attempted to fly to Mexico, but US Customs and Border Protection agents stopped him and searched his phone and discovered the photo of Mr. Poteyev’s vehicle.

After he was arrested, Mr. Fuentes details of the plan provided to American researchers. He believed that the Russian official he had met worked for the FSB, Russia’s internal security agency. But covert operations abroad are usually led by the SVR, which succeeded the KGB or GRU, Russia’s military intelligence agency.

One of the former officials said Mr Fuentes, unaware of the target’s significance, was just gathering information for the Russians to use later.

Mr Fuentes’ lawyer, Ronald Gainor, declined to comment.

The plot, along with other Russian activities, provoked a harsh response from the US government. In April 2021, the United States imposed sanctions and expelled 10 Russian diplomats, including the station chief of the SVR, who was stationed in Washington and on tour for another two years, two former US officials said. Throwing out the chief of the station could be incredibly disruptive to intelligence operations, and agency officials suspected Russia was likely to retaliate against its U.S. counterpart in Moscow, who had only weeks left in that role, the officials said.

“We cannot allow any foreign power to interfere with our democratic process with impunity,” said President Biden at the White House announcing the sanctions. He made no mention of the plot involving Mr. Fuentes.

Sure, Russia has exiled 10 US diplomats, including the chief of the CIA in Moscow.

Adam Entus reporting contributed.