Australia charges dual Russian-Australian citizen with spying for Russia in Ukraine

Australian authorities have charged 27-year-old dual Russian-Australian citizen Vladimir Teslov with foreign interference. Police allege Teslov underwent military training in Russia in late 2024, returned to Australia to maintain contact with Russian intelligence, and then enlisted in the Ukrainian military in 2025 to leak sensitive troop data. Teslov was arrested in Brisbane and faces up to 20 years in prison, though officials state there is no active threat to Australia.

Teslov espionage charges

• ▪Vladimir Teslov was arrested on August 20, 2026, in Sumner, Brisbane, and his case was heard in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 21, 2026, before being adjourned until October 4, 2026.
• ▪Australian police charged 27-year-old dual Russian-Australian citizen Vladimir Teslov with foreign interference on August 21, 2026, for allegedly attempting to pass Ukrainian military intelligence to Russia.
• ▪The foreign interference charge brought against Vladimir Teslov carries a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment under Australian law.

Russia military training

• ▪Vladimir Teslov traveled to Russia in October 2024 to undergo military-style training before returning to Australia in December 2024.
• ▪While in Australia after his training, Vladimir Teslov allegedly maintained contact with individuals he believed were linked to Moscow's intelligence services.

Ukraine military infiltration

• ▪Australian police allege that Vladimir Teslov's attempts to relay Ukrainian military information to Russian intelligence created a safety risk for Ukrainian military personnel.
• ▪Vladimir Teslov traveled to Ukraine to enlist in the Ukrainian armed forces, gaining access to information regarding military personnel, units, and locations.

Australian foreign interference enforcement

• ▪The Russian Embassy in Australia stated it had no official knowledge of Vladimir Teslov's case and only became aware of the situation through media reports.
• ▪Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett stated that there is no evidence suggesting Vladimir Teslov's activities posed a current threat to Australia's security.

Counter-intelligence task force operations

• ▪Since 2020, the Australian counter-foreign interference task force has charged eight people with espionage or foreign interference offences.
• ▪The investigation into Vladimir Teslov was conducted jointly by the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

5 sources