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Australia charges man with foreign interference for allegedly spying on Ukrainian military
Australian Federal Police have charged 27-year-old Russian-Australian citizen Vladimir Teslov with intentional foreign interference. Authorities allege that Teslov attempted to provide Russian intelligence services with sensitive information regarding the Ukrainian military, including details on personnel, units, and locations.
According to investigators, Teslov traveled to Russia in October 2024 to receive military-style training. He subsequently returned to Australia before traveling to Ukraine in 2025, where he enlisted in the Ukrainian armed forces. Police claim he used his position within the military to gain access to security-sensitive information to benefit the Russian Federation.
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett stated that the charge aims to prevent Australia from becoming a safe haven for foreign interference. The suspect was arrested in Brisbane and has been remanded in custody. Under Australian law, the crime of intentional foreign interference carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Entities
Australian Federal Police · Krissy Barrett · Penny Wong · Russia · Ukraine · Vladimir Teslov
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 10 SOURCES] A 27-year-old Russian-Australian citizen has been charged with foreign interference. www.kurierverlag.de · ca.news.yahoo.com · de.euronews.com · es.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The suspect is accused of attempting to provide information regarding Ukrainian military personnel, units, and locations to Russian intelligence. www.kurierverlag.de · ca.news.yahoo.com · de.euronews.com · es.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The man allegedly joined the Ukrainian armed forces in 2025. www.kurierverlag.de · ca.news.yahoo.com · de.euronews.com · es.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · +5 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Vladimir Teslov was arrested in Brisbane. www.watoday.com.au
- [● 10 SOURCES] Intentional foreign interference carries a penalty of up to 20 years' imprisonment in Australia. www.kurierverlag.de · ca.news.yahoo.com · de.euronews.com · es.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The suspect allegedly traveled to Russia in October 2024 for military-style training. www.kurierverlag.de · ca.news.yahoo.com · de.euronews.com · es.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · +5 more