Moscow, Russia – Russian security services, in cooperation with their counterparts in the Republic of Abkhazia, announced the arrest of a father and daughter in Sochi. They were suspected of espionage activities and planning to travel to Ukraine, where they intended to fight with Ukrainian forces.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Special Operations Center stated in an official statement that the detainees, both Russian citizens, intended to travel to Ukraine to participate in combat. They belonged to a paramilitary formation. This formation is overseen by Ukrainian military intelligence and is designated a terrorist organization whose activities are prohibited within Russian territory.
The statement explained that investigations revealed the father and daughter had been in contact with representatives of a Ukrainian organization designated as a terrorist group via the Telegram app. They received instructions and subsequently carried out support activities. These activities included gathering information on active-duty military personnel serving in the Russian Armed Forces, as well as planning to leave the country and join the fight against Russia, according to Novosti.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) indicated that the Krasnodar Territory Investigative Department had opened criminal cases against the defendants under Article 30 (Part 1) and Article 205.5 (Part 2) of the Russian Criminal Code. These cases relate to attempted participation in the activities of an organization designated as terrorist under Russian legislation.
