Russian Ex-Consulate Worker Charged with Spying on Ukraine for US

Russia has charged a former U.S. consulate employee, Robert Shonov, with spying and collecting information on the war in Ukraine. The Federal Security Service (FSB) alleges that Shonov was paid to gather information about Russia's military operation in Ukraine, as well as issues affecting protest activity ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The FSB also named two U.S. embassy staffers in Moscow who allegedly tasked Shonov. The State Department condemned the charges, calling them "wholly without merit." Russia has increased prison sentences for state treason and continues to criminalize dealings with foreign countries amid its war in Ukraine and a crackdown on dissent. Several Americans, including journalist Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan, have been detained on espionage charges in recent years.