According to a report by the Russian Satellite News Agency on September 22, the Federal Security Service of Russia arrested a Russian citizen born in 1994 in Sevastopol. The Russian security service stated that this person passed photos of facilities belonging to the Russian Black Sea Fleet to the Ukrainian military intelligence department.
The Russian newspaper "Viewpoint" reported on the same day that it provided more details: The man contacted a representative of the main intelligence agency of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense through a blocked Telegram group belonging to a Russian-prohibited terrorist organization. He used his phone to photograph military facilities of the Black Sea Fleet and sent photos to the enemy. When searching his residence, a phone was found that contained records of his communications with Ukrainians online.
According to reports, the Investigation Department of the Russian Security Service’s branch in the Crimean Republic and Sevastopol has filed a criminal case against this individual under the provisions of the Russian Criminal Code regarding organizing and participating in terrorist activities and treason. The suspect could face life imprisonment.
Sevastopol is the main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Since 2022, the Black Sea Fleet has been deployed to the "special military operations" areas in Ukraine under Russian jurisdiction.
In the past few years, there have been several reports of espionage activities.
According to TsNA, on June 4th, a 63-year-old resident of Sevastopol was detained for transmitting Russian military intelligence to the Ukrainian Security Service. Two months later, on August 4th, reports stated that the Russian Security Service had detained two Russians in Sevastopol, who were accused of preparing terrorist attacks under the instructions of the main intelligence agency of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
