Russian man faces treason charges over crypto transfers to Ukraine

A man in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, a city in Russia’s Far East, has been arrested on suspicion of high treason for allegedly sending cryptocurrency to Ukraine’s military forces.

According to Russia’s Federal Security Service, the crypto was intended to aid Ukraine’s purchase of weapons and ammunition. The FSB released video footage showing the arrest, with agents pinning the man to the ground and handcuffing him.

The man’s identity and the exact amount of cryptocurrency sent have not been revealed. He now faces serious charges under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code, which covers acts of high treason.

Article 275 refers to “high treason, that is espionage, disclosure of state secrets, or any other assistance rendered to a foreign State, a foreign organization, or their representatives in hostile activities to the detriment of the external security of the Russian Federation, committed by a citizen of the Russian Federation,” according to Russia’s Criminal Code. In this instance, the ‘foreign State’ is Ukraine.

Local state-owned Russian outlet Izvestia provided initial details on the story.

Crypto and treason

This arrest is part of a broader crackdown on individuals accused of aiding Ukraine during the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Just a day earlier, another man was arrested in Mariupol on suspicion of treason. He is accused of passing information about Russian military positions to Ukrainian intelligence.

After Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has utilized crypto donations to fund defense and humanitarian aid, raising $225 million by July 2023. Key contributions included over $60 million from Aid For Ukraine, a government-backed crypto fund. 

These arrests highlight Russia’s ongoing efforts to punish anyone perceived as assisting Ukraine during the war. The use of cryptocurrency in this context raises questions about how digital assets can be regulated and controlled in global conflicts.