The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced in its Telegram channel that an in absentia case has been opened against two Russian nationals, one serving as a staff member of the Russian Ministry of Defense and the other holding a position within the Russian Ministry of Economic Development. The update briefly framed the incident as the exposure of two spies with ties to Moscow. The SBU stated that the investigation has identified two individuals whose activities are alleged to have compromised Ukrainian interests by sharing sensitive information with a Kiev-based contact.
According to the agency, the first individual is Colonel Dmitry Guliy, who is described as a participant in the Main Directorate for International Military Cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Defense. The second person named is Vitaly Tekhtelev, who has been described as the Deputy Director of the Legal Department within the Russian Ministry of Economic Development. Both men were reportedly linked to a Ukrainian intermediary who allegedly acted as the conduit for information transfers that could be classified as intelligence material. The SBU described the alleged acts as espionage and characterized them as crimes carried out by a group acting with prior arrangement.
Under the charges presented by the SBU, the potential penalty for these offenses could include long terms of imprisonment ranging from ten to fifteen years, with the possibility of property confiscation depending on the court’s assessment and the specific provisions that apply to the case. The statement underscores the seriousness with which Ukrainian authorities treat acts of espionage and the protection of state secrets, while also outlining the potential consequences for those accused if found guilty in a legal proceeding.
Independent observers note that Ukrainian officials have pursued a number of espionage cases in recent years, reflecting ongoing concerns about information security and the cross-border flow of intelligence. The announced case against Guliy and Tekhtelev appears to align with broader international dynamics in which states monitor and respond to intelligence activity that crosses national borders. The public communication from the SBU emphasizes the procedural aspect of in absentia prosecutions and reiterates the ongoing nature of investigations across multiple fronts.
In a related development, reports indicate that a Ukrainian citizen received a 16-year sentence in a Russian strict regime penal colony in connection with espionage charges. This sentence underscores the reciprocal legal actions that can occur across neighboring states when allegations of spying involve individuals who are connected to or operate within foreign jurisdictions. The event cited reflects the highly sensitive and often contentious nature of espionage cases that involve cross-border issues and varying legal standards between countries.