Russian court arrests intelligence chief Budanov, Bellingcat journalist Grozev in absentia

The Russian media reported this with reference to the verdicts of the Lefortovo Court in Moscow.

It is reported that Russian law enforcement agencies have charged Kyrylo Budanov with four articles “in the case of the terrorist attack on the Kerch Bridge.”

The chief of Ukraine’s military intelligenct was arrested in absentia and put on the international wanted list.

Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate has not yet commented on this report.

In addition, a Moscow court arrested a 'foreign agent' and Bellingcat journalist Christo Grozev in absentia in a case of illegal crossing of the Russian border.

Grozev is accused of organizing the flight abroad of The Insider's Editor-in-Chief Roman Dobrokhotov, who was also recognized as a 'foreign agent.'

• On July 25, 2022, the Russian Federal Security Service announced that it had allegedly foiled a Ukrainian intelligence operation to hijack combat aircraft, in which Bulgarian journalist Christo Grozev participated.

• On October 8 of that year, an explosion occurred on the Crimean Bridge and a fire broke out.

• On December 26, 2022, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs put Bellingcat investigative journalist Christo Grozev on the federal wanted list.

• Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry officially summoned Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova over the federal wanted listing of Bellingcat journalist Christo Grozev.