The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation has stopped the illegal activity of a Simferopol resident suspected of collaborating with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). According to the agency, the citizen collected and transmitted information about Russian military facilities located in Crimea to Ukrainian special services. The offender was detained, and a criminal case has been opened against him, which provides for a punishment of up to eight years in prison.

According to the FSB Public Relations Center, a resident of Simferopol, whose identity has not been disclosed, proactively established contact with SBU representatives via Internet messengers. On instructions from Ukrainian curators, he was collecting data on the location and movement of military equipment, as well as other information related to the activities of the Russian Armed Forces on the peninsula. The data obtained was transmitted via secure communication channels, indicating an attempt to maintain secrecy. The FSB's operational activities made it possible to identify and stop the espionage activity, and the suspect was taken into custody by a court decision.

A criminal case has been opened under Article 275.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which concerns confidential cooperation with a foreign state or organization. This article, introduced into legislation in 2022, provides for a punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of three to eight years. The investigation is establishing the full scope of the information transferred and the possible presence of accomplices. The FSB emphasized that such actions pose a threat to national security, and identifying agents of foreign intelligence services remains the agency's priority.

The incident in Simferopol was the latest in a series of arrests related to accusations of espionage for Ukraine. Several similar cases have been recorded in Crimea and Sevastopol since the beginning of 2024. In October 2024, the FSB reported the arrest of a 51-year-old Crimean who, on instructions from the SBU, was extracting SIM cards for an agent network from a hiding place. He also faces up to eight years in prison. In December 2024, a resident of Yalta was arrested for transmitting data on the movement of military equipment, and in January 2025, a resident of Sevastopol received 11 years for preparing a terrorist attack and collaborating with a foreign state. These cases indicate that Russian special services are stepping up their efforts to counter espionage on the peninsula.