A terrorist group planning 'high profile' bomb attacks in Moscow over the festive season has been smashed by the FSB security service.

The attacks were being plotted on the orders of Islamic State group, according to the agency that Vladimir Putin once headed up.

Firearms, rounds of ammunition, self-made explosive devices, and a 'large quantity of substances for making powerful explosives' were seized.

A member of a group affiliated with ISIS who allegedly have been planning terrorist attacks in Moscow is detained by police

During the operation by the FSB security agency to detain four members of the group suspected of plotting the attack, ammunition was found

A mobile phone containing explosives was also discovered during the operation by the FSB security agency

Russian security agency officers storm to detain four members of a group suspected to be behind the terror attacks

A member of a group affiliated with ISIS who was detained by police. The attacks were reportedly planned for the New Year holidays

'The militants prepared the terrorist attacks upon the direct order of an emissary of the Islamic State international terrorist organization outlawed in Russia,' the FSB said.

'The activity of a subversive terrorist group consisting of nationals of Tajikistan and a citizen of Moldova, who were planning to commit a series of high-profile terrorist acts in Moscow with the use of high-power improvised explosive devices, has been terminated,' a spokesman added.

Four members of the group, from the ex-Soviet republics, were detained in Moscow, added the agency, formerly part of the KGB.

FSB and police officers stormed a residential neighbourhood to arrest the suspects, who came from the ex-Soviet republics

Four men were arrested, but the alleged mastermind is now in Turkey and was on an international wanted list issued by Tajikistan

Firearms, rounds of ammunition, self-made explosive devices, and a 'large quantity of substances for making powerful explosives' were seized during the raids

Russia is seen by some experts as a target for revenge attacks by terrorists due to its large scale military action in Syria

As the agency siezed the weapons it said it had stopped several attempts by natives of former Soviet states to carry out terrorist attacks in crowded places and transport facilities

TV Dozhd reported the attacks were planned for the New Year holidays.

Russia does not mark Christmas in December, but two weeks later in January under the old Orthodox calendar.

The country closes down for holidays from the New Year until 9 January and it was during this period it is believed the attacks were scheduled.

The alleged mastermind - now in Turkey - was on an international wanted list issued by Tajikistan, said the FSB.

Russia is seen by some experts as a target for revenge attacks by terrorists due to its large scale military action in Syria.

Pictured is a component of an improvised explosive device that was discovered by security services during the operation

Following the operation police sealed off part of a residential area. Members of the alleged cell who were detained are migrants to Russia

A rifle and ammunition were found among the huge cache of weapons discovered during the raid in Moscow

After the agency siezed the weapons and detained the men, it said some 42 terrorism-related crimes had been prevented in Russia this year

It is believed that the ammunition had been stockpiled ahead of a planned terrorist attack during the Russian Christmas holidays in January

Members of the alleged cell who were detained are migrants to Russia, said the FSB.

A Tass report quoted FSB director Alexander Bortnikov as saying recruiters 'deliberately use migrants for the radicalisation of citizens coming from former Soviet countries who failed to adapt to life in Russia.'

They form 'autonomous groups for carrying out terrorist attacks'.

Some 42 terrorism-related crimes were prevented in Russia this year, Bortnikov said earlier this week.