Ukraine Arrests UN 'Volunteer' Suspected of Spying for Russia

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Facts

  • The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has said it has arrested a 34-year-old man it claimed was spying for Russia while volunteering for the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) in Ukraine.[1][2][3]
  • According to the SSU, the suspect used aid delivery routes to gather intelligence about Ukrainian infantry and artillery positions near the Donetsk city of Pokrovsk before communicating his findings to Russian intelligence.[4][5]
  • The Ukrainian agency added that the individual's mobile phone — seized during his arrest — revealed evidence of communication with his handler, adding that he has since been charged with treason under martial law, which carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment and property confiscation.[4]
  • In a statement, the WFP said it was aware of the arrest and that it was cooperating with investigations.[6]
  • 'WFP can confirm that the individual detained is not a WFP employee,' the statement read. 'The individual however had a contractual relationship with an NGO partner of WFP until August 2024,' it said, adding: 'We are actively cooperating with the authorities in their enquiries.'[6]
  • This comes amid heightened tensions between Ukraine and the UN. Earlier this week, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected a visit from UN chief António Guterres after the latter visited Russia and met with Pres. Vladimir Putin last week.[7]

Sources: [1]Ukrainska Pravda, [2]Press Gazette, [3]Kyiv Post, [4]Euromaidan Press, [5]MSN, [6]POLITICO and [7]BBC News.

Narratives

  • Pro-Ukraine narrative, as provided by Euromaidan Press. Since the beginning of the war, Russian intelligence has been actively recruiting agents for the purposes of sabotage and surveillance. This is just the latest demonstration of these efforts.
  • Narrative B, as provided by POLITICO. The suspect in this case was not directly employed by the WFP, but worked with a contractor of the organization. The WFP is assisting Ukraine with its enquiries, and news agencies should avoid fueling speculation over this case until the facts have been clearly established.

Predictions