FSB spoke about the work of the informant of the US Embassy in Russia

Employees of the Russian FSB stopped the illegal activities of Robert Shonov, an informer at the US Embassy in Moscow, who previously worked at the US Consulate General in Vladivostok. This was reported in the press service of the department, writes “RIA News”.

The FSB noted that since the fall of 2022, Shonov has been carrying out assignments from employees of the US Embassy in Moscow, Jeffrey Sillin and David Bernstein. In particular, he collected information about the special operation and the course of mobilization in Russia. In addition, he was collecting data on problematic issues in the regions and their impact on protest activity in Russia on the eve of the Russian presidential elections in 2024.

In a video released by the FSB, Shonov confessed to these actions. According to him, in September 2022, employees of the US Embassy in Moscow approached him, “they expressed interest in collecting information about the resonant events taking place at the moment.” Shonov noted that he also needed to look for businessmen and journalists loyal to the United States who could be used to further gather information.

Shonov has already been charged under Art. 275.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Cooperation on a confidential basis with a foreign state”). The maximum punishment under this article provides for imprisonment for up to eight years.

Diplomats will also be interrogated in this case, such subpoenas have already been sent to the US Embassy in Moscow.

FSB reported on the detention and arrest of Shonov in May 2023. Now he is in the Lefortovo pre-trial detention center. Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Ryabkov then noted that the detention of a former employee of the US Consulate General indicates that the unacceptable activity of hostile states is on the rise.