Man charged for trying to pass military intel
He then ‘provided, or attempted to provide, information obtained in Ukraine to individuals he believed were acting on behalf of Russian intelligence services.’
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He then ‘provided, or attempted to provide, information obtained in Ukraine to individuals he believed were acting on behalf of Russian intelligence services.’
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australian police charged a man with foreign interference on Friday for allegedly seeking to pass intelligence about Ukrainian military activities to Russia.
The 27-year-old Russian-Australian citizen underwent “military-style” training in Russia and later joined the Ukrainian armed forces, Australian Federal police commissioner Krissy Barrett told a news conference.
Police allege he traveled to Russia for the training in October 2024 before returning to Australia, where he “maintained contact” with individuals he believed were linked to Moscow’s intelligence services.
He traveled in 2025 to Ukraine, where he enlisted in the country’s armed forces and “gained access to information relating to their military personnel, units and locations,” police allege.
Barrett said he then “provided, or attempted to provide, information obtained in Ukraine to individuals he believed were acting on behalf of Russian intelligence services.”
“It is alleged this conduct created a risk to the safety and security of Ukrainian military personnel,” she said.
“We don’t want Australia to become a safe haven for people who are undertaking foreign interference on behalf of other countries,” Barrett said.
Police said there was no indication he had received military training in Australia.
The man has not been identified and was unemployed, Barrett said.
