Australia charges man with trying to pass Ukrainian military intel to Russia

Australian police said on Friday that a man has been charged with foreign interference for allegedly seeking to inform Russia about Ukrainian military activities.

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."

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.

"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."