FSB Arrests Former British Embassy Guard in Moscow Over Alleged Spying for Ukraine

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced Thursday that it had detained a former guard from the British Embassy in Moscow, accusing him of collecting sensitive information about British diplomats on behalf of Ukraine. The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, has been placed in pre-trial detention.

Alleged plot to frame Russia

According to the FSB, Ukrainian intelligence services intended to use the gathered material to stage an attack against British diplomatic staff while making it appear as though Russia was responsible. The agency claims the goal was to pull the United Kingdom into direct military confrontation with Russia and push London to expand military support for Ukraine.

Scope of the collected data

Russian officials say the former guard compiled extensive details on embassy personnel, including diplomats' personal information, photographs, home addresses, vehicles, travel routes, security arrangements and internal embassy scheduling.

Possible penalty

The man has been charged with treason, an offense carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for men and up to 20 years for women. The Moscow Times said it reached out to the British Embassy for comment.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, the FSB has regularly publicized arrests of individuals accused of working with Ukrainian intelligence, frequently bringing treason charges against them.