Russia says it has thwarted terrorist attacks reportedly planned in St Petersburg thanks to a tip from Washington, bringing personal thanks again from President Vladimir Putin to his US counterpart Donald Trump.
Russian news agencies cited the Federal Security Service (FSB) as saying that thanks to the information, two Russians were detained on 27 December on suspicion of plotting attacks during New Year festivities in St Petersburg.
The Kremlin said Mr Putin passed on his gratitude to Mr Trump during a phone call on Sunday for the tip from US special services. It gave no further details.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called US President Donald Trump to thank him for the tip this week. Source: AP
Diplomatic ties between Washington and Moscow are fraught over disagreements from Ukraine to Syria and but Mr Trump and Mr Putin have managed to keep personal lines open.
Two years ago, the Russian leader also phoned Mr Trump to thank him for .
Russia has repeatedly been the target of attacks by militant groups, including the Islamic State.
Sunday's Kremlin statement said Mr Putin and Mr Trump agreed to continue bilateral cooperation to tackle terrorism.
