Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has prevented a planned attack on railway infrastructure in the Stavropol region, detaining a man described as a native of a Central Asian country who supported an international terrorist organization.

The suspect was acting under the direction of a coordinator based in Syria and was preparing to attack a railway facility in the city of Pyatigorsk using improvised incendiary devices, The Caspian Post reports via TASS.

The suspect had photographed the intended target and purchased chemical substances to produce Molotov cocktail-style incendiary devices. After carrying out the attack, he planned to travel to Syria to join the international terrorist organization.

The FSB said the suspect was identified and arrested before the attack could take place. During a search of his residence, officers reportedly seized ready-to-use improvised incendiary devices, as well as communication devices containing instructions received from his handler.

A criminal case has been opened on charges of preparing a terrorist act and participating in the activities of an organization designated as terrorist under Russian law.