SYDNEY: Australian police stated on Friday (Aug 21) a person has been charged with international interference for allegedly searching for to tell Russia about Ukrainian navy actions.
The 27-year-old Russian-Australian citizen had “military-style” coaching in Russia and later joined the Ukrainian armed forces, Australian Federal Police commissioner Krissy Barrett instructed a information convention.
“We do not need Australia to turn into a protected haven for people who find themselves endeavor international interference on behalf of different international locations,” she stated.
Police alleged he travelled to Russia for the coaching in October 2024.
He then returned to Australia, they are saying, the place he “maintained contact” with people he believed had been linked to Russian intelligence.
He travelled to Ukraine in 2025, police allege, the place he enlisted within the nation’s armed forces and “gained entry to data referring to their navy personnel, models and places”.
He then “supplied, or tried to offer, data obtained in Ukraine to people he believed had been appearing on behalf of Russian intelligence companies,” Barrett stated.
“It’s alleged this conduct created a threat to the protection and safety of Ukrainian navy personnel.”
The crime of intentional international interference carries a penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment in Australia.
