27yo Russian-Australian citizen arrested by spy task force in Queensland

The country’s top police officer has revealed more details an alleged Russian agent charged with intentional foreign interference.

A man with dual Russian-Australian citizenship has been charged with intentional foreign interference for allegedly infiltrating the Ukrainian military and trying to feed intelligence to Moscow, including from Australia.

Federal officers arrested Victorian resident Vladimir Teslov, 27, in Brisbane’s southwest on Thursday under Operation Wood Creeper after a lengthy counterintelligence investigation co-led with the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

They also searched several properties in the greater Brisbane area, including three on Friday as Teslov fronted court.

He did not apply for bail and his matter was adjourned for mention on October 2.

The court redacted elements of the case at the request of Australian government solicitor Dylan Kerr, who cited national security concerns.

Laying out the allegations to media, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said Teslov received “military-style training” in Russia in 2024.

“It is alleged the man sought to collect and communicate information relating to military personnel, locations and operations for the benefit of the Russian Federation,” she told reporters in Canberra.

“In October 2024, the man travelled to Russia and allegedly undertook military-style training before returning to Australia in December 2024.

“In Australia, it is alleged the man maintained with individuals he believed were connected to Russian intelligence services.

“Investigators will allege the man then travelled to Ukraine in May 2025, where he joined the Ukrainian armed forces, gaining access to information relating to military personnel, units, and locations.

“It is alleged he later provided or attempted to provide information obtained in Ukraine to individuals he believed were acting on behalf of Russian intelligence services.

“It is alleged this conduct created a risk to the safety and security of Ukrainian military personnel.

“We allege elements of this offending occurred in Australia and offshore.”

She added that “there is nothing to suggest there was or is any threat to Australia”.

Canberra’s staunch bipartisan backing for Ukraine’s fight against invading Russian forces has earned Australia a spot on the Kremlin’s list of “unfriendly countries and territories”.

That listing has coincided with intensifying Russian espionage and disruption efforts in Australia in recent years.

In 2023, Australia expelled a “major spy network” comprised of Russian diplomatic staff operating in the country under deep cover.

Agents recruited locally to build “a wider network”, ASIO chief Mike Burgess said at the time.

“Among other malicious activities, they wanted to steal sensitive information,” he said.

In another high-profile case, two Russian-born Australian citizens, Kira Korolev and her husband, Igor, were initially charged with preparing for an espionage offence in 2024.

Authorities accused Ms Korolev, an Australian Defence Force information systems technician of exploiting her security access to funnel military secrets to Moscow.

The charges against were upgraded in June of this year to conspiracy to commit espionage, which could see them jailed for life.

The national cyber intelligence agency last month warned hackers linked to the Russia’s Federal Security Service were targeting critical Australian industries, including defence, communications, energy and financial services.