Updated August 21, 2026 — 2:20pm,first published 11:35amA Russian-Australian citizen has been arrested by federal police in Brisbane over allegations he attempted to engage in intentional foreign interference.Vladimir Teslov, a 27-year-old man from Victoria, was arrested at Sumner, in Brisbane’s south-west, on Thursday.Teslov is accused of travelling to Russia in October 2024 for military-style training, returning to Australia, and then travelling to Ukraine in May 2025 to join the Ukrainian armed forces.“It is alleged he subsequently provided, or attempted to provide, information obtained in Ukraine to individuals he believed were acting on behalf of Russian intelligence services,” a statement from the AFP said.They said elements of the offence occurred while the man was in Australia and offshore, and they would allege his conduct created a risk to the safety and security of Ukrainian military personnel.The arrest came following an investigation by the Counter Foreign Interference Task Force.AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said that investigation began in June.She said this was the first time a person with links to Russia had been charged with attempting to engage in foreign interference since new laws were introduced in 2018.Police said they executed search warrants on Thursday at homes at Sumner and Sinnamon Park. On Friday, they searched properties in the Brisbane suburbs of Springwood and Petrie Terrace and a person at St Lucia, and seized electronic devices that were taken for forensic examinations.Teslov was scheduled to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.“At this stage, there is nothing to suggest there is – or has been – any threat to Australia, however, the investigation is ongoing,” the AFP statement said.More to comeGet alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.Cloe Read is the crime and court reporter at Brisbane Times.Connect via X or email.From our partners