Russian security service detains Voronezh resident for high treason

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained a 21-year-old resident of Voronezh on suspicion of high treason, alleging he was “recruited by Ukrainian special services to monitor military facilities in the Moscow region.”

It said the detainee is a Russian citizen born in 2005 and has been arrested for involvement in illegal activities on the instructions of Ukrainian special services, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“Acting on instructions from his handler and for financial reward, he participated in organising surveillance of Russian military facilities in the Moscow region, recruited other individuals online to assist Ukrainian intelligence services, and was involved in the operation of Ukrainian call centres specialising in fraud against Russian citizens,” the FSB noted.

The agency added that he was allegedly “recruited by Ukrainian special services via Telegram.”

“A smartphone containing correspondence evidencing his illegal activities on behalf of Ukrainian special services was seized from the detainee,” it added.

According to the officials, the accused has admitted guilt and is cooperating with the investigation.

Russia’s regional FSB office in Voronezh has opened a criminal case under Article 275 of the Criminal Code (high treason).

The suspect has been taken into custody.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov