FSB arrests young Russian in Rostov over alleged spying for Ukraine

Russian security service FSB officers have detained a 21-year-old man in Rostov Region on suspicion of treason for collaborating with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), TASS reports, citing the FSB Public Relations Center.

“In Rostov Region, the illegal activities of an agent of the Ukrainian special services, born in 2004, suspected of committing state treason, were prevented,” the FSB said. “It was established that the suspect contacted an SBU officer via the Telegram messenger, voluntarily agreed to confidential cooperation, and provided assistance to the SBU in activities aimed against the security of the Russian Federation.”

Under the direction of his handler, the suspect carried out an arson attack on a telecom tower’s thermal cabinet for financial gain.

The Rostov Region FSB investigative department has opened criminal cases under Part 2 of Article 205 (terrorist act) and Article 275 (state treason) of the Russian Criminal Code, which carry sentences of up to life imprisonment.

By Khagan Isayev