Australian federal police have charged a dual Russian-Australian citizen with attempted foreign interference after he allegedly joined the Ukrainian military and sought to pass sensitive information to individuals he believed were connected to Russian intelligence services.
Vladimir Teslov, 27, appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday. The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
Police alleged Teslov travelled to Russia in October 2024 to undergo military-style training. After returning to Australia later that year, he maintained contact "with individuals he believed were connected to Russian intelligence services," police alleged.
In May this year, he allegedly travelled to Ukraine and joined its armed forces. During that period, he is alleged to have accessed information relating to Ukrainian military personnel, units, and locations.
It is alleged his attempts to share that information "created a risk to the safety and security of Ukrainian military personnel." The attempts are alleged to have been made both in Australia and overseas.
Teslov was arrested on Thursday. Police searched several properties in Brisbane and seized multiple devices. He was believed to be living in Victoria and was unemployed at the time of his arrest. There was no suggestion he received military training in Australia or worked for any government agency.
The AFP's Commissioner, Krissy Barrett, said the investigation — codenamed Operation Woodcreeper — began in June this year. She described the case as complex but said Teslov was not suspected of posing any direct threat to Australia.
Barrett said there was no known connection between Teslov and a Russian-born couple, Kira and Igor Korolev, who lived in Brisbane and were charged with espionage offences in 2024. That case is ongoing and the pair have yet to enter a plea.
Barrett did not confirm how long Teslov had lived in Australia. When asked whether he was part of a broader network, she said investigations were continuing and further arrests were possible. It was also being investigated whether he volunteered his services to the suspected Russian intelligence officials or was recruited.
Barrett said the AFP had been engaged with domestic and international partners, but added that "it would be a matter for Ukraine whether they were going to commence any prosecutions."
This is the eighth time foreign interference charges have been laid in Australia, and the first time the specific offence has involved an alleged offender connected to Russia. Barrett noted that Russia had not been specifically targeted by the AFP, despite Australia being an ally of Ukraine.
"Our job is ensuring Australia does not become a safe haven for people who think they can conduct foreign interference on our shores," Barrett said.
Claire McGuinness, a Deputy Director-General of the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), said foreign interference could represent "both a threat to life and a threat to our way of life."
"This case should put regimes perpetrating foreign interference on notice: we have zero tolerance," McGuinness said.
"ASIO's resolve is firm, and we will continue to work with our close partners to detect and counter attacks on Australia's sovereignty. This achievement demonstrates the rigour, perseverance and agility of Australian agencies. I am immensely proud of ASIO's outstanding contribution to this case."
Teslov was refused bail by Magistrate Lewis Shillito. His matter was adjourned to 2 October.
The Russian Embassy in Canberra said it learned of the case through media reports. "At this stage, no official requests or notifications have been received by the Embassy or the Consulate General in Sydney, either from the Australian authorities or from the individual concerned," it said in a statement. "We are currently using the available channels and resources to establish the circumstances of the case."
