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FSB nabs Crimea resident in northwest Russia on charges of high treason

According to the investigation, in August-December 2022, in Crimea, the suspect was observed photographing and filming Russian Armed Forces’ personnel, military hardware and positions

PSKOV, December 18. /TASS/. Operatives from the Pskov Region branch of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), together with border guards, have detained a resident of the Republic of Crimea who for over six months has been engaged in filming and photographing military hardware and Russian army positions, and then passing the information on to Ukraine.

Criminal charges of high treason have been filed against him, the press service of Russia’s FSB Directorate for the Pskov Region said in a statement.

"Following comprehensive investigative measures, operatives from Russia’s FSB Directorate for the Pskov Region, together with the FSB Border [Guards] Directorate for the Pskov Region, have detained a native of the Republic of Crimea in the Sebezh District, Pskov Region [near Russia’s border with Latvia], on suspicion of high treason by means of assisting a foreign country," the statement said.

According to the press service, the investigative department of Russia’s FSB Directorate for the Pskov Region filed criminal charges against the man under Russian Criminal Code Article 275 ("High Treason"). According to the investigation, in August-December 2022, in Crimea, the suspect was observed photographing and filming Russian Armed Forces’ personnel, military hardware and positions. Additionally, using special software, he was detecting the geographical bearings of Russian personnel and equipment.

"He handed over this information to Ukraine’s armed forces and the Security Service of Ukraine, thereby assisting a foreign country in an activity directed against the Russian Federation’s security," the statement said.

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