FSB Detains North African National for Alleged Espionage on Behalf of Ukraine

On Wednesday, Russia’s FSB security service reported the arrest of an African individual in Astrakhan, a city in the south, on suspicions of espionage for Ukraine.

The detainee, whose identity is not disclosed but is confirmed to be from a North African nation, was officially registered as a foreign resident in Astrakhan, according to the FSB.

Authorities claim that the individual made contact with Ukrainian intelligence via online channels, subsequently “collecting and relaying information” regarding military facilities and vital infrastructure in Astrakhan for potential use against Russia.

He faces espionage charges, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

A video released by state-run news agencies in Russia depicted masked FSB operatives guiding the man, with his identity obscured, in and out of government facilities.

It remains unclear whether he has entered a plea regarding the accusations or if representatives from his country are providing assistance. There has been no official response from Ukraine concerning the allegations.

The FSB’s statement highlighted what it described as Ukraine’s ongoing attempts to recruit spies within Russia, particularly using messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram.