The Moscow Regional Court is currently examining the criminal case of a 22-year-old man from Voronezh named Anton Osipenko, who is accused of attempting to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Reports from the state news agency indicate that prosecutors allege Osipenko aimed to enlist in what Ukraine calls the International Legion of Territorial Defense, with the intent to fight against Russian forces. The charge against him is treason by attempting to defect to the enemy side, a serious allegation that places him at the center of a nationwide debate about loyalty, national security, and the reach of foreign influence. The case underscores how Russia is handling suspected cross-border ties and potential collaboration with foreign military formations in times of conflict, as observed by official investigators.
(Note: attribution to TASS is reflected through official reporting channels.)
According to the same reporting, Osipenko was intercepted at Domodedovo airport in March 2022 while holding a ticket to Yerevan. Officials describe a plan to travel from Armenia onward to Ukraine to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ International Legion, a path that would put him directly on a combat front in the ongoing hostilities. Osipenko has not entered a guilty plea, and under current statutes he faces a maximum sentence that could reach two decades in prison if convicted. The case illustrates how Russia is pursuing cases of alleged defection or service with foreign armed forces, as well as how border controls and travel documentation play a role in counterintelligence efforts.
Earlier, security authorities reported arrests involving two hackers believed to be working for Ukrainian intelligence. One suspect was apprehended in Tomsk and the other in Belovo, within the Kemerovo region. Officials indicate that the individuals previously served as fighters in the Ukrainian army and have publicly questioned the underlying motives of the ongoing conflict. These developments reflect broader tensions around suspected collaboration with foreign armed forces and foreign intelligence activities within Russia, a theme that continues to influence legal and security policy nationwide.