Ukraine Arrests UN 'Volunteer' Suspected of Spying for Russia
The Facts
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has said it has arrested a 34-year-old man it claimed was spying for Russia while volunteering for the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) in Ukraine.
According to the SSU, the suspect used aid delivery routes to gather intelligence about Ukrainian infantry and artillery positions near the Donetsk city of Pokrovsk before communicating his findings to Russian intelligence.
The Spin
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Since the beginning of the war, Russian intelligence has been actively recruiting agents for the purposes of sabotage and surveillance. This is just the latest demonstration of these efforts.
Narrative B
The suspect in this case was not directly employed by the WFP, but worked with a contractor of the organization. The WFP is assisting Ukraine with its enquiries, and news agencies should avoid fueling speculation over this case until the facts have been clearly established.
