Moldovan man arrested in Saratov over military assassination attempt

A court in Saratov has placed Moldovan citizen Nikolai Kochu under house arrest, accused of carrying out a terrorist attack, attempting to murder a serviceman, and illegally trafficking weapons.

Consensus

The defendant, Nikolai Kocu, is a citizen of Moldova.
Kocu was arrested on September 8, 2026.
The attack took place on September 3, 2026.
The attack occurred in the village of Probyuzhdenie, Engelesky District, Saratov Oblast.
Kocu allegedly fired at least six shots at a Russian serviceman.
The serviceman was hospitalized but survived.
Kocu was charged with terrorism, attempted murder of a serviceman, and illegal possession of weapons.
The court ordered Kocu's detention for two months.
Kocu was detained in Astrakhan Oblast.

Points of divergence

Kocu claimed he was recruited by Ukrainian intelligence in 2025, underwent training in Kyiv, and entered Russia via Estonia in June 2026. — kommersant
Kocu was recruited in 2025 via social media, underwent training in Kyiv in March 2026, and entered Russia in June 2026. — interfax
Kocu admitted to undergoing training at a military range in Kyiv, where he was taught shooting and handling explosives, and was allegedly sent to Russia to kill a general. — m24
Kocu stated he was promised $70,000 for the assassination of a Russian general. — kommersant
The reward for the crime was stated as $70,000 by the investigation. — interfax
Kocu admitted to being trained in Kyiv on shooting and explosives. — m24

Coverage (3 sources)

In Saratov, the accused in an attempt on a serviceman was arrested — Коммерсантъ
A citizen of Moldova arrested in connection with an attempt on the life of a Saratov military man — Интерфакс
Court in Saratov arrested a Moldovan citizen on charges of an attempt to assassinate a military man — Москва 24

Moldovan man arrested in Saratov over military assassination attempt

Consensus

Points of divergence

Coverage (3 sources)

Key entities

More on Nikolay Kochu