Australian Defence Force Private and Husband Charged with Espionage for Russia

Two Russian-born Australian citizens have been arrested and charged with spying for Russia in a “complex” law enforcement operation codenamed BURGAZADA.

The individuals include a 40-year-old woman, an Australian Defence Force (ADF) Army Private, and her husband, a 62-year-old self-employed laborer. Media reports have identified them as Kira Korolev and Igor Korolev, who have been living in Australia for over a decade.

The couple was apprehended at their home in the Brisbane suburb of Everton Park on July 11, 2024, according to a statement from the Australian Federal Police (AFP). They face one count each of preparing for an espionage offense, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment.

“This is the first time an espionage offense has been charged in Australia since new laws were introduced by the Commonwealth in 2018,” the AFP stated.

The AFP alleges that the couple conspired to obtain sensitive information after the woman traveled to Russia while on long-term leave from the ADF since 2023.

She reportedly instructed her husband, who stayed in Australia, to log into her official work account and access specific information, which he then sent to her private email account while she was overseas.

“The woman’s ADF account credentials were used multiple times to access sensitive ADF information with the intent of providing it to Russian authorities,” the AFP said.

While the specific documents accessed were not disclosed, the AFP confirmed they pertained to Australian national security interests. The investigation into whether the information was handed over to Russia is ongoing.

“Espionage is an insidious crime, and at a time of global instability, state actors have increased their efforts to obtain information held by Western democracies, including Australia,” AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said.

“Espionage is not a victimless crime. It has the potential to impact Australia’s sovereignty, safety, and way of life.”

These arrests mark the third instance of individuals being charged with espionage or foreign interference-related offenses since their inclusion in the Criminal Code Act 1995.

In April, a 55-year-old man from New South Wales was charged with providing information about “Australian defense, economic, and national security arrangements” to two individuals associated with a foreign intelligence service suspected of conducting intelligence-gathering activities.

In late February 2024, a 68-year-old man from Melbourne was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison for attempting to influence a Federal Parliamentarian on behalf of a foreign government.

Mike Burgess, Director-General of Security in charge of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO), emphasized that the ongoing threat of espionage is “real,” and that “multiple countries are seeking to steal Australia’s secrets.”

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