Key facts
- A 27-year-old dual Russian-Australian citizen has been charged with foreign interference.
A dual Russian-Australian citizen has been charged with foreign interference by Australian Federal Police for allegedly attempting to provide Ukrainian military information to individuals believed to be linked to Russian intelligence. The 27-year-old faces up to 20 years in prison.
The arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by foreign intelligence services to gather information related to the conflict in Ukraine, even from individuals within allied nations, and underscores Australia's commitment to combating foreign interference.
A 27-year-old dual Russian-Australian citizen has been charged by the Australian Federal Police with foreign interference for allegedly attempting to pass Ukrainian military information to individuals he believed were connected to Russian intelligence.
The man is due to appear in court in Brisbane. Authorities allege he joined the Ukrainian armed forces in May 2025 and shared information obtained during his service. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment.
According to authorities, the man traveled to Russia in October 2024 for military-style training before returning to Australia in December of that year. He then reportedly joined the Ukrainian armed forces. Russia's embassy in Canberra has not yet responded to a request for comment.
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett stated that foreign interference is an "insidious crime" with a significant impact on Australia. Since 2020, an Australian task force has charged eight individuals with espionage or foreign interference offenses. Authorities have indicated there is currently no threat to Australia, though the investigation is ongoing.