Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab confirmed that dozens of its employees' devices were compromised in the operation.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) said that the operation was an espionage action by American special services using Apple mobile devices.

Apple has denied the allegation and said that it has never worked with any government to insert a backdoor into any of its products.

The FSB provided no evidence to support its claim.

Russian officials have accused the US intelligence services of using IT corporations to collect large-scale data of internet users without their knowledge.

The data collection was carried out through software vulnerabilities in US-made mobile phones, according to Russia's foreign ministry.

The plot was uncovered as part of a joint effort by FSB officers and those of the Federal Guards Service (FSO), which runs the Kremlin bodyguard and was also once the KGB's Ninth Directorate.

Russian officials have long questioned the security of US technology, and the Kremlin has previously told officials involved in preparations for Russia's 2024 presidential election to stop using Apple iPhones because of concerns that the devices are vulnerable to Western intelligence agencies.