Ukrainian citizen jailed for aiding Russian missile strikes
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has announced the sentencing of a Ukrainian citizen to 15 years in prison for collaborating with Russian forces. The individual, operating in the Chernivtsi region, was found to have located fuel depots on behalf of Russian services.
The convicted 36-year-old had evaded mobilisation for two years before collaborating with the Russians. He subsequently offered his services to the occupiers, which led to the preparation of missile strikes on oil depots in western Ukraine.
The SBU disclosed that the man publicly praised Russian troops and justified the war against Ukraine. On Russian internet forums, he lauded the aggressors, and during one broadcast, he dramatically set fire to the Ukrainian flag, showing loyalty to the Kremlin.
The man was detained in June 2024. The court found him guilty of treason, justifying Russia's aggression, and glorifying the participants of the invasion. The 15-year prison sentence is a direct consequence of his actions in supporting Russian military operations in Ukraine.
The SBU, which compiled the evidence, emphasised that the convicted man's actions were particularly damaging in the context of the ongoing armed conflict.
Regarding espionage in Ukraine, the 36-year-old's case is one of many actions undertaken by Russian services which fit into the broader context of international tensions. Russian intelligence actively seeks strategic information, underscoring the scale of intelligence operations in the Eastern and Central European region.
Russia tracks down spies, using them for the information war
An example of such actions is the case of Nikolai G., a Hamburg citizen detained in Kaliningrad, who allegedly attempted to blow up a gas station there. Russian media presented a photo found on his phone as evidence of his work for Germany, showing him with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Russian media seized this opportunity to raise alarms about foreign spies infiltrating the country. This case was used to demonise the West and reinforce the narrative of Russia being wronged by other countries. Consequently, Russian media continue to conduct an information war, keeping their own citizens in a state of total disinformation.
The network of espionage and disinformation activities by Russia highlights the importance for EU countries to remain vigilant and cooperate with each other.
