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Russian-Australian Arrested for Attempting to Spy on Ukraine Military
The AFP alleges he sought Ukrainian military details and tried to pass them to people he believed were linked to Russian intelligence.
On Thursday, a 27-year-old Russian Australian was arrested in Sumner, Brisbane, and charged with intentional foreign interference; he will appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today.
Investigators allege the man travelled to Russia in October 2024 for military-style training, then joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces in May 2025 to collect sensitive military information for Russian intelligence.
The foreign interference charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail; AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett stated there is currently nothing to suggest the man's activities posed a threat to Australia.
This arrest follows the 2024 case of Russian-born Australian citizens Kira and Igor Korolev, whose charges were upgraded to conspiracy to commit espionage in June for allegedly sending state secrets to Russia.
Russian-Linked interference remains a persistent focus for security agencies; ASIO Director Mike Burgess previously reported forcing out a "hive of spies" in 2022, while the Australian Signals Directorate warned of cyber threats to critical infrastructure.
Australian police said on Friday they had charged a man with Russian and Australian citizenship with attempting to commit intentional foreign interference.