Our common task is to prevent the further penetration of radical ideological attitudes into the North Caucasus and to preserve and strengthen the spiritual, moral, cultural and historical values and the Russian civil identity of local youth, Bortnikov told the press.

The senior official, who spoke at a meeting of the Russian anti-terrorist committee, which he chairs, added that Ukrainian intelligence seeks to lure young people in the region into launching terrorist acts.

“Ukrainian instigators have planned sabotaging state facilities, as well as transport and communications in the region of Stavropol and the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic,” he added.

Bortnikov warned that international terrorists are stepping up their religious propaganda in the Northern Caucasus as well. “Their supporters are increasingly disseminating propaganda of radical Islamic movements that lack traditions in Russia,” he pointed out.

To this end, terrorists are using the Internet, as well as unofficial places of worship and some religious educational organizations, he added.

Ied/jg/npg/gfa