Ukrainian sentenced to 15 years for aiding Russian forces
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has reported the sentencing of a Ukrainian citizen to 15 years in prison for collaborating with Russian forces. The man, operating in the Chernivtsi region, was tasked with locating fuel depots for Russian services.
The convicted 36-year-old, prior to his collaboration with the Russians, had evaded conscription for two years. He later offered his services to the occupiers, which led to preparations for missile strikes on oil depots in western Ukraine.
The SBU revealed that the man publicly praised Russian troops and justified the war against Ukraine. In Russian online chats, he lauded the aggressors, and during a broadcast, he demonstratively burned a Ukrainian flag, showing loyalty to the Kremlin.
The man was detained in June 2024. The court found him guilty of treason, justifying Russian aggression, and glorifying the invasion's participants. The 15-year prison sentence is a consequence of his actions, which aimed to support Russian military operations in Ukraine.
The SBU, which gathered the evidence, emphasized that the actions of the convicted were particularly harmful in the context of the ongoing armed conflict.
Regarding espionage in Ukraine, the case of the 36-year-old is one of many steps taken by Russian services, fitting into the broader context of international tensions. Russian intelligence actively tries to gather strategic information, illustrating the scale of espionage activities in Eastern and Central Europe.
Russia tracks spies. Uses them for information warfare
An example of such actions is the case of Nikolai G., a citizen of Hamburg detained in Kaliningrad, who allegedly attempted to blow up a gas station there. As evidence of his work for Germany, Russian media presented a photo found on his phone, showing him in the company of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Russian media raised the alarm that spies were infiltrating the country. This example was ideal for them to demonize the West and strengthen the narrative of Russia being wronged by other countries. In this way, Russian media continue to wage information warfare while leaving their own citizens in a state of total misinformation.
The network of espionage and disinformation activities by Russia highlights the importance for EU countries to maintain heightened vigilance and cooperate with each other.
