Australia charges man over trying to inform Russia of Ukrainian military activities

By Gavin Blackburn Published on 21/08/2026 - 7:07 GMT+2 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp The crime of intentional foreign interference carries a penalty of 20 years' imprisonment in Australia. Australian police said on Friday that a man has been charged with foreign interference for allegedly seeking to inform Russia about Ukrainian military activities. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The 27-year-old Russian-Australian citizen had "military style" training in Russia and later joined the Ukrainian armed forces, Australian Federal Police commissioner Krissy Barrett said at a news conference. "We don't want Australia to become a safe haven for people who are undertaking foreign interference on behalf of other countries," she said. Police alleged he travelled to Russia for the training in October 2024. He then returned to Australia, they say, where he "maintained contact" with individuals he believed were linked to Russian intelligence. Police allege he travelled to Ukraine in 2025 where he enlisted in the country's armed forces and "gained access to information relating to their military personnel, units and locations." A local resident looks inside a destroyed car next to heavily damaged residential buildings after an overnight Russian attack in Kyiv, 20 August, 2026 AP Photo He then "provided, or attempted to provide, information obtained in Ukraine to individuals he believed were acting on behalf of Russian intelligence services," Barrett said. "It is alleged this conduct created a risk to the safety and security of Ukrainian military personnel." The crime of intentional foreign interference carries a penalty of 20 years' imprisonment in Australia. Ukraine has been fighting against Russia's full-scale invasion since it was launched in February 2022. Related Australia grants citizenship to two Iranian women footballers who sought asylumAustralia's PM Anthony Albanese under fire for 'melons' gag about Japanese leader "We have committed over $1.5 billion (€900 million) to help Ukraine defend itself, including more than $1.3 billion (€700 million) in military support through vital equipment for the battlefield and the training of Ukrainian forces, " Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in February last year. "Australia has been clear since day one that Russia, and those enabling its illegal invasion, will face consequences." Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more Nord Stream bomb suspect arrested while working on A-list Ukraine war movie starring Sean Penn Russian drones threaten civilians and aid work in Ukraine, UN aid chief warns Banderol, Russia’s new low-cost weapon testing Ukraine’s air defences Russia's invasion of Ukraine Russia Ukraine War in Ukraine Espionage Australia