FSB officers detained Alexander Pankov, head of the linear police department at Koltsovo Airport in Yekaterinburg, on suspicion of revealing state secrets in accordance with Article 283 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, according to Kommersant, citing the press service of the transport police in the Urals federal district.
The Sverdlovsk region’s investigators concluded that in 2021 an employee disclosed limited access information to an outsider during a private conversation, the department stated. Law enforcement officials added that an inquiry into the matter is underway and that Pankov could face punishment if his guilt is established.
Reports indicate that the officer was detained at the end of August and is presently under house arrest.
In July, FSB officials in Crimea highlighted a possible channel for leaking information that could constitute a state secret. This development adds to the broader scrutiny over the handling of sensitive information within regional security structures and underscores the ongoing emphasis on safeguarding classified material in key transport hubs across the country. At issue is ensuring that personnel with access to restricted data maintain rigorous safeguards to prevent unauthorized disclosure, and that any breach is investigated promptly with due legal process. [citation]
Observers note the incident may have broader implications for the culture of information security within transit police units and related authorities. The case reflects a pattern in which officials connected to critical infrastructure facilities face heightened scrutiny when personal conversations or informal channels touch on protected information. The authorities stressed that the investigation will determine whether professional duties were fulfilled with appropriate caution and whether any norms governing state secrets were violated. [citation]
While the specifics of this case unfold, the situation reinforces the importance of strict adherence to secrecy rules and the mechanisms in place to detect, investigate, and penalize breaches. The public and industry stakeholders will be watching how the legal process proceeds and what lessons are drawn for training, compliance, and enforcement across transport security agencies. [citation]